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Div'fsion .^       S^C^C- 

Section „,,         ol'^O 


y5«-'i.-»-c  *^^^»^  '^^^^ 


MISSION    TO    ENGLAND. 


MISSION  TO  ENGLAND, 


IN  BEHALF  OF  THE 


AMERICAN  COLONIZATION  SOCIETY. 


BY  REV.  R.  R.  GURLEY. 


WASHINGTON. 

PUBLISHED  BYWM.  W.   MORRISON, 

PENNSYLVANIA  AVENUE. 

1841. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1841,  by  William  W. 
Morrison,  in  the  District  Court  of  the  District  of  Columbia. 


ALEXANDER  &.  BARNARD, 

Printers. 


THE    FRIENDS    OF    AFRICAN 


COLONIZATION    AND    CIVILIZATION. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  AND  GREAT  BRITAIN, 


THIS    WORK 


IS    MOST    RESPECTFULLY    DEDICATED, 


THE    AUTHOR. 


CONTENTS. 


Origin  of  the  Mission,  p.  1 — 5.  Resolutions  of  New  York  Society,  6.  Of  Di- 
rectors of  Parent  Society,  8.  Commission  from  the  President,  Mr.  Clay,  9.  In- 
structions of  Executive  Committee,  10  — 11.  Arrival  in  London,  13.  Author's 
first,  second  and  third  letters  to  the  Executive  Committee,  containing  an  account  of 
conferences  with  Mr.  Buxton,  and  asking  instructions  on  sundry  points,  13 — 25. 
First  communication  received  from  Executive  Committee,  and  reply  thereto,  26  — 
30.  Next  letter  from  United  States,  and  replies  thereto,  31 — 33.  Question  in 
regard  to  an  attempt  to  revive  the  British  African  Colonization  Society,  35.  Fourth 
letter  to  Executive  Committee,  36 — 37.  Interview  with  Anti-slavery  Committee, 
erroneous  impressions  made  on  the  mind  of  Mr.  Clarkson,  and  extract  from  the 
author's  letter  to  that  gentleman,  38 — 44.  Visit  to  Glasgow  during  the  session  of 
the  British  Association,  44.  To  Edinburgh,  46 — 47.  Communications  from  the 
New  York  Society,  and  from  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  Parent  Society,  47 
— 49.  Author's  reply  and  remarks  thereon,  50 — 57.  Correspondence  with  Sir 
T.  F.  Buxton,  58 — 83.  Interview  with  the  General  Committee  of  the  African 
Civilization  Society,  89.  Letter  relating  to  this  interview,  to  the  Hon.  H.  Clay, 
90  — 94.  Second  letter  to  Mr.  Clay,  in  regard  to  interview  with  Lord  John  Rus- 
sell, 95 —  98.  Lectures  and  debate  in  Egyptian  Hall,  99 — 107.  Author  learns 
from  a  friend  that  he  is  no  longer  connected  with  the  American  Colonization  So- 
ciety, 108.  Remarks  on  a  passage  in  the  annual  report  of  the  Executive  Commit- 
tee, 109  —  111.  Conduct  of  the  Times  newspaper;  author's  letters  to  that  and  to 
the  Morning  Post,  111  — 120.  Letter  to  the  editor  of  the  London  Patriot,  121^ — 
139.  Letter  of  the  author,  (published  in  England,)  to  Hon.  Henry  Clay  and  Sir 
T.  F.  Buxton,  140  — 195.  Proposition  to  form  a  Colonization  and  Civilization 
Committee,  196.  Reasons  against  it,  196 — 197.  Account  of  the  African  Civiliza- 
tion Society,  197 — 203.  Niger  Expedition,  203 — 220.  Causes  operating  against 
a  cordial  co-operation  with  the  American  Colonization  Society,  221,  234.  Final 
impressions,  234 — 235.  Proceedings  of  public  meeting  in  Hanover  Rooms,  Lon- 
don, 235  —238.     Appendix,  Facta,  239—264. 


PREFACE. 

Although  in  the  statement  here  submitted  to  the  public, 
I  have  not  attempted  to  render  due  acknowledgments  for 
great  kindness  and  aid  received  from  individuals,  both  in 
this  country  and  Great  Britain,  yet  I  cannot  permit  the 
work  to  go  forth  without  some  expression  of  my  sense 
of  the  liberality  of  the  Managers  of  the  New  York  Soci- 
ety, in  their  appropriation  for  the  mission,  and  also  of 
the  generosity  with  which  several  philanthropic  Ameri- 
cans contributed  individually  to  sustain  it.* 

Nor  can  I  ever  forget  my  obligations  to  those  in  Eng- 
land and  Scotland,  who  rendered  the  time  spent  in  those 
countries,  among  the  most  delightful  periods  of  my  life. 
I  have  seen  and  felt  enough  (notwithstanding  the  general 
unpopularity  of  the  cause  I  represented,)  of  the  candour, 
integrity,  courtesy,  and  hospitality  of  the  English  people, , 
to  make  me  deprecate,  even  beyond  what  it  is  possible  to 
express,  the  growth  of  unfriendly  sentiments  between 
them  and  the  citizens  of  the  United  States.  It  is  the  duty 
of  all  good  men  in  both  countries  to  cultivate  mutual 
confidence  as  well  as  forbearance,  and  to  become  united 
in  the  covenant  of  perpetual  peace.  Let  one  thousand 
of  our  best  citizens  annually  visit  Great  Britain,  and  an 
equal  number  of  high  minded  Englishmen  annually  come 
to  America,  to  hold  social  intercourse  with  our  people, 
and  the  two  nations  will  never  rush  together  in  conflict. 

*  See  Appendix,  page  264. 


X  PREFACE. 

A  distinguished  American,  Junius  Smith,  L.  L.  D.,  now 
residing  in  London,  and  to  whose  ability,  energy  and 
perseverance  the  nations  are  indebted  for  the  triumphant 
application  of  steam  to  ship  navigation,  deserves  (like 
the  immortal  Fulton,)  to  be  honored  by  a  statue  in  every 
civilized  state  and  kingdom  of  the  world ;  imless,  in- 
deed, (which  Heaven  forbid,  and  we  will  not  believe,) 
the  malignant  passions  of  our  nature  are  to  become  more 
furious  by  all  that  should  allay  them,  and  convert  the 
occasions  and  means  of  charity  and  beneficence  into 
agents  and  instruments  of  destruction.  I  should  feel  my- 
self guilty  alike  of  ingratitude  and  injustice,  did  I  per- 
mit this  opportunity  to  pass  without  alluding,  briefly,  to 
several  gentlemen  in  England  whose  good  counsels  and 
cheerful  and  obliging  attentions  are  indelibly  impressed 
on  my  heart. 

To  Dr.  Thomas  Hodgkin,  who  is  emphatically  the 
friend  of  the  whole  human  race,  I  am  indebted  for  a 
series  of  kind  acts,  extending  through  the  entire  period  of 
my  stay,  and  set  off  by  an  admirable  simplicity  and  grace 
of  manner  which  is  as  impossible  to  forget  as  to  describe. 
To  Joseph  Travers,  Esq.,  who  is  ever  devoted  to  the 
cause  of  human  freedom  and  happiness,  and  of  Avhose 
high  sense  of  honor,  courtesy  and  liberality  I  had  much 
experience,  my  thanks  are  especially  due. 

Benjamin  Smith,  Esq.,  M.  P.,  ever  engaged  in  works  of 
national  or  philanthropic  interest,  who  suggested  and 
urged  forward  the  plan  for  effectually  ventilating  the 
ships  in  the  Niger  expedition,  was  ready,  at  all  times,  to 
afford  me,  in  the  most  polite  and  obliging  manner,  his 
good  counsels  and  aid. 

Petty  Vaughan,  Esq.,  and  his  venerable  uncle,  William 
Vaughan,   Esq.,  who  are  well  known  throughout  this 


PREFACE.  XI 

country  for  their  benevolent  exertions,  and  innunierable 
acts  of  kindness  to  Americans,  are  entitled  to  my  warmest 
gratitude. 

Daniel  Lister,  Esq.,  presided  many  evenings  at  the 
meetings  in  Egyptian  Hall,  and  by  the  generous  expendi- 
ture of  time,  thought  and  money  in  furtherance' of  the 
object  of  my  mission,  proved  himself  not  less  zealous  in 
the  cause  of  humanity,  than  distinguished  for  hospitality 
and  all  the  virtues  of  social  life. 

Robert  Bell,  Esq.,  who  has  won  a  high  reputation  in 
the  world  of  letters,  (particularly  by  his  history  of  Russia, 
and  his  lives  of  the  English  poets,)  and  whose  heart  is  as 
warm  and  generous  as  ever  beat  in  an  Irish  bosom,  spared 
no  pains  to  promote  my  object. 

Dr.  Costello,  a  gentleman  of  fine  talents  and  noble 
spirit,  rendered  me  much  aid.  Nor  should  I  omit  the 
name  of  A.  B.  Wright,  Esq.,  ever  disposed  to  further  my 
views,  and  whose  rare  good  sense,  energy  and  benevo- 
lence, are  opening  before  him  the  path  of  honor  and  use- 
fulness. 

George  Catlin,  Esq.,  who  has  secured  a  lasting  reputa- 
tion by  the  wonderful  genius  and  energy  displayed  in 
his  extraordinary  collection  of  Indian  costumes  and  por- 
traits, evinced  a  deep  concern  for  my  success,  and  with  a 
noble  disinterestedness  belonging  to  his  character,  afforded 
me  every  aid  in  his  power. 

I  am  also  under  obligations  to  Junius  Smith,  L.  L.  D., 
Thomas  Campbell,  L.  L.  D.,  (the  poet,)  Messrs.  A.  &  G. 
Ralston,  the  Hon.  and  Rev.  Baptist  Noel,  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Burder,  of  Hackney,  the  Rev.  John  Clayton,  of  the  Poul- 
trey  Chapel,  ihe  Rev.  J.  N.  Coleman,  of  the  Isle  of  Wight, 
the  Rev.  Algernon  Wells,  Secretary  of  the  Congregational 
Union,  also  to  Dr.  Wm.  Beattie,  (author  of  several  works,) 


XU  PREFACE. 

Sir  James  Clarke,  (well  known  in  the  medical  world,)  to 
Henry  Inskip,  Esq.,(of  the  press,)  Mr.  Stirling,  S.  Bannister, 
Esq.,  (Editor  of  the  African  Colonizer,)  and  many  others,. 

Indeed,  it  is  impossible  for  me  here  to  speak  in  appropri- 
ate terms,  of  the  many  personal  civilities  received  in  Eng- 
land, or  of  the  generous  and  hospitable  attentions  of  many 
friends  in  Scotland,  to  whom  I  am  bound  by  indissoluble 
ties  of  gratitude,  respect,  and  affection.  The  hope  that  I 
shall  again  see  them  warms  my  heart,  nor  can  I  cease  to 
pray  that  Heaven's  choicest  blessings  may  be  theirs. 

It  will  be  seen  that  such  was  the  state  of  the  public 
mind  in  England  towards  the  American  Colonization 
Society,  as  to  render  any  application  for  funds  injudicious, 
as  it  probably  would  have  proved,  mostly,  unsuccessful. 
But  far  distant  be  the  day,  when  English  and  American  Chris- 
tians shall  hesitate  to  co-operate  in  such  enterprises  of  be- 
nevolence as  are  of  undoubted  benefit  to  the  human   race. 

When  I  consider  the  well  established  settlements  of 
Liberia;  the  sympathy  of  thousands  of  my  country- 
men in  the  cause  of  Africa  and  her  dispersed  and  afflicted 
children  ;  the  prosperous  missions  recently  commenced 
upon  her  shore  by  Christians  of  this  and  other  lands ; 
the  mighty  movement  of  Great  Britain  for  her  civiliza- 
tion, and  how  obviously  the  Almighty  is  summoning  his 
agents  for  her  deliverance,  from  among  her  own  sons, 
released  from  servitude,  and  trained  up  in  the  schools  of 
Christianity  to  become  her  teachers  and  guides,  I  cannot 
doubt,  that  the  shades  of  her  long  night  are  vanishing 
away,  and  that  the  day-star  is  soon  to  arise  in  her  heart. 


MISSION  TO  ENGLAND. 


Public  attention,  both  in  America  and  England,  was 
attracted  strongly,  during  the  early  part  of  last  year,  to  a 
work  by  Sir  Thomas  Fowell  Buxton,  on  the  slave  trade 
and  its  remedy.  The  distinguished  reputation  of  the 
author,  long  the  intimate  associate  of  Wilberforce  in  the 
war  upon  the  slave  trade,  and  subsequently  a  leader  in 
Parliament  for  the  cause  of  West  Indian  emancipation, 
as  -Avell  as  the  remarkable  developments  and  propositions 
of  the  work  itself,  gave  to  it  extraordinary  interest.  The 
fact  brought  to  light,  that  while  Great  Britain  alone  had 
expended  more  than  fifteen  millions  of  pounds  sterling 
for  the  suppression  of  the  slave  trade,  and  made  a  still 
greater  sacrifice  in  the  loss  of  human  life,  this  traffic  had 
been  increasing,  and  with  augmented  guilt  and  misery — 
that  Africa  was  robbed  thereby,  annually,  of  half  a  mil- 
lion of  her  inhabitants,  a  moiety  of  whom  perished  either 
in  capture  or  before  the  close  of  the  first  year — was 
so  appalling  as  to  excite  the  deepest  sensibilities  of  our 
nature.  The  remedy  proposed  by  Sir  Thomas  for  this 
enormous  evil,  appeared  to  many  of  the  friends  of  the 
African  race  in  the  United  States  to  involve,  generally, 
the  principles  and  policy  which  had  for  twenty  years 
been  adopted  and  pursued  by  the  American  Colonization 
Society.  From  its  origin,  in  the  various  speeches,  re- 
ports, and  other  publications  of  this  society,  the  extinc- 
1 


•^  MISSION. 

lion  of  i!ie  slave  trade  by  tlie  colonization  of  Africa,  was 
represented  as  the  sure  and  grand  result  of  its  wisely 
conducted  and  vigorously  sustained  system  of  coloniza- 
tion. "It  was  expected  that  the  operations  of  the  Ameri- 
can Colonization  Society  Avould  mifetter  and  invigorate 
the  faculties,  improve  the  circumstances,  animate  the 
hopes,  and  enlarge  the  usefulness  of  the  free  people  of 
color;  that  by  awakening  thought,  nullifying  objections, 
presenting  motives  convincing  to  the  judgment,  and  pur- 
suasive  to  the  humanity  of  masters,  they  would  encour- 
age emancipation ;  that  in  Africa  their  results  would  he 
seen,  in  civilized  and  christian  communities,  in  the  sub- 
stitution of  a  lawful  and  beneficial  commerce  for  the 
abominable  slave  trade,  of  peaceful  agriculture  for  a  pre- 
datory warfare,  knowledge  for  ignorance,  the  arts  that 
refine  for  vices  that  degrade,  and  for  superstitions  vile, 
cruel  and  blood-stained,  tlie  ennobling  service  and  pure 
worship  of  the  true  God.  It  was  believed  that  the  fel- 
lowship of  the  north  with  the  south,  in  African  coloni- 
zation, would  tend  powerfully  to  produce  just  opinions 
on  the  subject  of  slavery,  and  prepare  for  the  removal  of 
the  evil  without  endangering  the  integrity  and  peace  of 
the  Union.  It  was  clear  that  the  principles  and  measures 
of  the  society  interfered  not  with  those  who  desired  to 
meliorate  the  condition  of  the  people  of  color,  bond  or 
free,  who  might  remain  in  our  country,  but  in  fact  con- 
tributed to  produce  those  kind  and  considerate  sentiment.^ 
towards  both,  which  alone  can  admit  them  to  all  the  pri- 
vileges possible,  while  here  and  denied  a  distinct  nation- 
al existence.  But  the  founders  of  the  society  saw  not 
* '  by  what  authority  we  could  limit  tlie  Almiglity,  and 
'  tie  down  the  destiny  of  the  colored  people  to  a  condi- 

*Dr.  Beecher. 


RESOLUTIONS  AT  NEW  YORK.  3 

'  tion  so  low,  or  why  they  should  be  satisfied  with  it 
'  compared  with  the  blessings  of  nationality.'  "* 

Havmg  examined,  attentively,  the  work  of  Sir  T.  F. 
Buxton,  I  was  equally  impressed  and  delighted  by  the 
scheme  therein  submitted  to  the  people  and  Government 
of  England,  and  at  a  public  meeting  held  in  the  middle 
Dutch  Church  of  the  city  of  New  York,  the  28th  of 
May,  1840,  I  presented  a  brief  outline  of  the  plan, 
stated  the  most  striking  facts  that  enforced  its  necessity 
and  importance,  and  offered  the  following  resolutions, 
which  Avere  unanimously  adopted  : 

Resolved.,  That  this  meeting  has  heard  with  high  gra- 
tification of  the  measures  proposed  by  the  Hon.  Thomas 
Fowell  Buxton  for  the  suppression  of  the  slave  trade  and 
the  civilization  of  Africa,  by  the  development  of  her  vast 
agricultural  and  commercial  resources,  and  the  intellect- 
ual and  moral  elevation  of  her  people  on  their  own  ter- 
ritory, through  the  agency  of  the  Government,  and  the 
humane  and  Christian  exertions  of  the  people  of  Eng- 
land. 

Resolved,  That  the  scheme  of  Mr.  Buxton,  which  re- 
ceives the  sanction  of  the  English  Government,  if  prose- 
cuted on  the  truly  philanthropic  principles  by  which  it 
is  guarded  in  Mr.  Buxton's  work,  is  in  accordance  with 
the  views  of  the  founders  and  supporters  of  the  Ameri- 
can Colonization  Society  in  its  great  features,  and  is  of 
magnificent  promise  to  Africa  and  her  children  through- 
out the  world,  and  worthy  to  be  carried  into  efl'ect  by 
the  united  powers  of  Christendom. 

Resolved,  That  the  noble  example  of  the  British  Go- 
vernment, in  preparing,  at  great  expense,  to  strengthen 
hdi-  naval  force  on  the  African  coast,  and  to  explore  the 

*  Life  of  Ashmun. 


4  MISSION. 

Niger  and  otlier  great  rivers  of  Africa,  is  worthy  of  imi- 
tation by  the  Government  of  our  own  country,  and  that 
we  recommend  to  the  friends  of  Africa,  to  address  the 
Congress  of  the  United  States,  soliciting  their  effectual 
co-operation  in  the  great  work  of  suppressing  the  slave 
trade,  and  raising  the  population  of  Africa  to  prosperity 
and  respect  among  the  nations  of  the  world. 

Resolved^  That  in  view  of  the  evidence  presented  in 
the  work  of  Mr.  Buxton,  of  the  great  resources,  agricul- 
tural and  commercial,  of  Africa,  there  is  reason  to  be- 
lieve that  companies  formed  in  the  United  States,  for  the 
cultivation  of  the  soil,  or  to  prosecute  lawful  commerce 
with  the  people  of  Africa,  would  be  amply  rewarded  for 
their  exertions,  while  they  conferred  good  incalculable 
upon  a  suffering  and  barbarous  quarter  of  the  globe. 

Resolved,  That  in  the  opening  prospects  of  civiliza- 
tion, free  institutions  and  Christianity  in  Africa,  her  long 
exiled  children  ai-e  encouraged  to  return,  that  they  may 
have  the  honor  of  aiding  to  heal  her  wounds,  and  rescue 
her  from  disgrace ;  and  at  the  same  time  share  in  the 
blessings  which  she,  once  freed  fi'om  her  present  evils,  is 
destined  to  confer  upon  her  inhabitants  in  coming  times. 

Resolved,  That  it  should  be  deeply  impressed  upon 
our  hearts,  that  America  is  bound  especially  to  send  to 
Africa  free  institutions,  and  men  capable  of  maintaining 
tliem — gifts  more  valuable  than  all  others,  except  Chris- 
tianity, which,  in  union  with  other  Christian  nations,  we 
should  be  most  prompt  and  anxious  to  impart  to  her  su- 
perstitious and  long  degraded  inhabitants. 

On  this  occasion  several  gentlemen  of  the  New  York 
Colonization  Society  responded  eloquently  to  the  senti- 
ments of  these  resolutions.  The  measures  proposed  by 
Sir  T.  F.  Buxton,  and  which  had  already  been  sanction- 
ed by  the  British  Government,  indicated  to  many  of  the 


SUGGESTIONS  CONCERNING  MISSION.  O 

friends  of  Africa  in  the  United  States,  a  mighty  change 
of  opinion  in  the  Enghsh  mind,  and  gave  omen  of  a  new 
and  vast  movement  to  deUver  that  quarter  of  the  globe 
from  barljarism,  the  slave  trade,  and  slavery,  and  intro- 
duce it  to  the  immunities  and  honors  of  civilized  nations. 
Several  distinguished  friends  of  the  Colonization  Society 
thought  it  important  that  some  gentleman,  well  acquaint- 
ed with  the  views  and  proceedings  of  that  institution, 
should  be  commissioned  to  visit  England,  and  confer 
with  the  chairman  and  committee  of  the  African  Civili- 
zation Society,  (which  had  just  been  organised  to  exe- 
cute the  scheme  recommended  by  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton,)  and 
among  those  who  most  zealously  expressed  this  opinion 
was  the  chairman  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  the 
Parent  Colonization  Society,  with  several  prominent 
members  of  the  New  York,  New  Jersey,  and  Pennsyl- 
vania Societies. 

As  the  subject  of  a  mission  to  England,  it  was  said, 
had  been  unfavorably  received  by  the  Directors  at  tlieir 
annual  meeting  in  January,  1840,  the  chainnan  of  the 
Executive  Committee  of  those  Directors  desired  that  the 
mission  should  be  carried  into  effect  solely  by  the  autho- 
rity, and  at  the  expense,  of  one  or  more  State  societies. 
The  result  of  many  deliberations  and  conversations 
among  the  friends  of  African  Colonization,  in  regard  to 
this  mission,  is  embodied  in  the  following  resolutions, 
submitted  on  the  12th  of  June,  1840,  to  the  Directors  of 
the  American  Colonization  Society.*  We  quote  from 
the  minutes : 

*  The  members  present  were  Messrs.  Halsted,  Mason,  Clark, 
Williams,  Wilkeson,  Phelps,  Garland,  Gurley,  (Secretary;)  of  the 
Executive  Committee,  Messrs.  Garland,  Coxe,  Lindsley,  and 
Seaton. 

1* 


D  MISSION. 

'•''  The  following  communication  and  resolutions  from 
tlie  New  York  city  Colonization  Society,  and  which  have 
been  adopted  by  the  Pennsylvania  Society,  were  submit- 
ted, and  ordered  to  be  placed  on  the  records  of  the 
Board : 

'•  At  a  meeting  of  the  Board  of  the  New  York  city 
Colonization  Society,  the  following  resolutions  were 
adopted : 

'■•Resolved,  That  in  tlie  view  of  the  important  measures 
now  m  prosecution  in  Great  Britain,  in  relation  to  the 
suppression  of  the  slave  trade,  and  tlie  civilization  of  Af- 
rica, this  Board  believe  that  it  would  be  highly  useful  to 
send  a  delegate  to  England,  for  the  purpose  of  receiving 
information  of  tlie  proceedings  about  to  l)e  pursued,  and 
of  ascertaining  how  far  the  friends  of  African  coloniza- 
tion in  this  country  may  co-operate  in  the  benevolent 
design. 

"  Resolved,  That  it  be  respectfully  suggested  to  the 
Executive  Committee  of  the  American  Colonization  So- 
ciety, at  Washington,  either  to  make  an  appointment  of 
such  a  delegate,  or  if  they  are  of  opinion  that  it  ought 
to  be  done  by  the  Board  of  Directors  of  that  institution, 
to  call  a  meeting  of  said  Board  for  that  purpose. 

"  Resoloed,  That  in  the  opinion  of  tliis  Board  the 
Rev.  R.  R.  Gurley,  from  his  long  connection  with  the 
Parent  Society,  his  intimate  acquaintance  with  every  thing 
relating  to  the  colonization  cause,  his  great  engagedness 
in  its  promotion,  and  his  peculiar  talents  and  facilities  of 
communicating  on  the  subject,  would  be  peculiarly  fitted 
for  such  a  mission,  and  that  he  be  very  respectfully  re- 
commended by  this  Board  for  said  appointment. 

"  Resolved,  That  in  the  event  of  his  appointment,  it  be 
also  respectfully  recommended  tliat  the  salary  which  he 


REMARKS  BEFORE  DIRECTORS.  < 

now  receives  as  Secretary  be  continued,  and  that  this 
Board  will  be  responsible  for  his  necessary  travelling  ex- 
penses, provided  that  any  contributions  lie  may  receive 
while  abroad  be  considered  applicable  to  the  reimburse- 
ment of  what  may  be  advanced  or  paid  by  this  Board  on 
that  account." 

As  the.se  resolutions  had  been  entrusted  to  me  by  their 
authors,  with  a  request  that  I  would  communicate  tliem 
to  the  Directors,  when  about  to  be  taken  up  for  conside- 
ration, I  rose,  and  (according  to  my  best  recollection,) 
expressed  a  conviction  of  the  great  value  of  the  facts 
and  suggestions  contained  in  the  work  of  Sir  T.  F.  Bux- 
ton— that  the  plan  urged  by  him  upon  the  reason  and 
conscience  of  England  was  similar  to  that  of  the  Colo- 
nization Society — that  mutual  good  understanding  and 
co-operation  between  the  philanthropists  of  America  and 
England,  in  their  endeavors  for  the  civilization  of  Afri- 
ca, was  desirable — that  the  hostility  of  the  anti-slavery 
organizations  would  prove  great,  if  not  insurmountable 
obstacles  to  union — that  the  Abolitionists  of  this  coun- 
try had  anxiously,  and  probably  with  success,  sought  to 
gain  the  respect  and  confidence  of  the  English  people — 
that,  though  I  believed  the  proposed  mission  might  be 
useful,  I  had  little  expectation  of  great  immediate  results, 
far  less  of  large  pecuniary  contributions — that,  ordina- 
rily, the  prejudices  planted  in  tlie  mind  of  a  great  nation 
were  not  easily  or  suddenly  removed,  nor  its  sentiments 
but  gradually  and  slowly  changed — and,  finally,  that  in 
view  of  the  uncertainties  and  dilhculties  which  must  in- 
evitably encompass  him  who  should  represent  and  advo- 
cate in  England  the  cause  of  African  colonization,  I  must 
say,  emphatically,  (however  agreeable  the  anticipations  of 
a  visit  to  that  country  might  otherwise  be,)  that  I  could 


3  MISSION. 

feel  no  strong  desire  for  the  appointment.  Indeed,  I  was 
distrustful  of  my  own  judgment  in  regard  to  the  policy 
of  the  mission,  and,  though  cherishing  hope  of  great 
final  benefit  should  it  be  prosecuted  with  prudence  and 
energy,  I  was  happy  that  it  rested  with  the  Directors  cither 
to  sanction  or  reject  it.  The  following  resolutions, 
olfered  by  Mr.  Coxe,  were,  after  I  had  retired,  considered 
and  adopted : 

"  Resolved,  That  this  Board  has  received  with  feelings 
of  great  respect,  the  resolutions  and  proceedings  of  the 
Colonization  Societies  of  New  York  and  Pennsylvania, 
in  reference  to  the  appointment  of  an  agent  or  commis- 
sioner on  behalf  of  the  American  Colonization  Society, 
to  proceed  to  England,  for  the  purpose  of  promoting  the 
interests  of  the  great  cause  of  African  civilization  and 
improvement. 

"•  Resolved,  That  in  the  opinion  of  this  Board  events 
which  have  recently  transpired  in  England  present  the 
most  encouraging  prospects  to  the  friends  of  Africa,  and 
that  it  is  higlily  important  that  measures  should  be 
promptly  taken  to  assure  harmonious  action  among 
those  who  profess  to  be  animated  by  the  same  spirit,  and 
actuated  by  the  same  motives. 

'■'■Resolved,  That  tlie  Rev.  R.  R.  Gurley,  correspond- 
ing secretary  of  the  American  Colonization  Society,  be, 
and  he  is  hereby  authorized  to  proceed  to  England,  witli 
all  convenient  despatch,  with  general  discretionary  pow- 
ers, under  the  instructions  from  the  Executive  Commit- 
tee, to  communicate  to  the  friends  of  African  civilization 
in  that  country,  the  policy  and  views  of  this  society,  to 
collect  such  information  as  may  be  valuable,  to  cement  a 
friendly  understanding  and  co-operation,  and  to  lay  the 
foundation  of  an  efiective  and  harmonious  action  in  the 


COMMISSION  BY  MR.  CLAY.  9 

promotion  of  the  benevolent  objects  which  the  friends 
of  Africa  on  both  sides  of  the  Atlantic  have  at  heart." 

The  substance  of  these  resolutions  is  embodied  in  the 
following  letter  or  commission,  prepared  and  placed  in 
my  hands  by  Mr.  Clay,  the  President  of  the  society : 

"  Be  it  known  to  all  persons  whom  it  may  concern 
that  the  Rev.  R.  R.  Gurley,  secretary  of  the  American 
Colonization  Society,  has  been  appointed,  by  resolutions 
of  the  directors  thereof,  an  agent  to  proceed  to  England 
to  promote  the  interests  of  the  said  society ;  to  explain 
and  enforce  its  objects;  to  remove  prejudices  against  it; 
to  communicate  with  the  friends  of  African  colonization 
and  African  civilization  in  Great  Britain ;  to  conciliate 
public  opinion  in  that  kingdom  towards  the  American 
Colonization  Society ;  to  collect  all  useful  and  valuable 
information  in  respect  to  the  design  and  exertions  of  hu- 
mane and  benevolent  associations  and  individuals  to  ele^ 
vate  the  moral  and  physical  condition  of  Africa ;  and, 
generally,  to  cement  the  friendship  and  secure  harmony 
and  co-operation  between  the  friends  of  Africa  in  Eng- 
land and  the  United  States,  in  the  great  and  good  work 
of  introducing  civilization  and  Christianity  into  that 
quarter  of  the  globe.  And  the  said  R.  R.  Gurley,  agent  as 
aforesaid,  is  to  act  in  conformity  with  instructions  which 
may  have  been,  or  hereafter  shall  be  given  to  him,  by  the 
aforesaid  directors,  in  the  execution  of  his  agency  afore- 
said, and  to  make  a  full  report  of  his  proceedings  to  them. 

"  In  testimony  of  the  said  appointment,  for  the  pur- 
poses aforesaid,  I,  Henry  Clay,  President  of  the  Ameri- 
can Colonization  Society,  in  virtue  of  the  resolutions 
aforesaid,  have  hereunto  affixed  my  name,  and  caused 
the  seal  of  the  said  society  to  be  attached,  at  Washing- 
ton, this  20th  day  of  June,  1840. 

H.  CLAY," 


10 


MISSION. 


I  wds  mformed  by  the  chairman  of  the  Board  and 
other  members,  that  four  months  had  been  mentioned, 
during  their  deliberations,  as  a  period  which  might  pro- 
bably prove  sufficient  for  effecting  the  objects  of  the 
mission,  but  as  this  could  be  known  only  after  my  arri- 
val in  England,  the  time  was  left  indeterminate  until  I 
might  be  able  to  communicate  something  of  my  obser- 
vations and  prospects  to  the  society. 

Some  weeks  had  elapsed  between  the  time  when  the 
New  York  society  had  assumed  the  responsibility  of  de- 
fraying the  expenses  of  this  mission,  and  the  passage  of 
resolutions  by  the  Directors  of  the  Parent  Board,  giving 
to  it  their  authority.  It  was,  in  consequence,  (and  espe- 
cially as  I  was  requested  to  visit  Boston  after  my  ap- 
pointment, and  before  my  embarkation,)  impossible  to 
arrive  in  London  before  the  adjournment  of  the  great 
anti-slavery  convention. 

It  will  be  observed  that  this  agency  or  commission 
was  to  be  held  under  instructions  from  the  Executive 
Committee,  and  on  leaving  Washington  to  proceed,  as 
directed,  "  with  all  convenient  despatch"  to  the  perform- 
ance of  its  duties,  I  was  assured  that  such  instructions 
would  be  duly  transmitted  to  me  at  New  York. 

On  the  morning  of  my  embarkation,  I  received  the 
following  resolution  from  the  Executive  Committee  : 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  the 
American  Colonization  Society,  held  at  the  office,  June 
29th,  1S40, 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  R.  R.  Gurley,  Secretary  of 
the  American  Colonization  Society,  on  arriving  in  Eng- 
land, be  requested  to  communicate  with  such  individuals 
or  associations  as  may  be  able  to  give  official  information 
of  the  intentions  of  the  British  Government  in  carrying 


INSTRUCTIONS  OF  EXECUTIVE   COMMITTEE.  11 

out  the  recently  disclosed  plans,  relative  to  Western  Af- 
rica— of  making  treaties  for  acquiring  jurisdiction  of  the 
coast  or  country — urging  them  to  abstain  from  all  that 
part  of  the  coast  lying  between  Gallinas  or  Cape  Mount, 
on  the  north,  and  the  river  Assinee  on  the  east — repre- 
senting to  them  the  present  prosperous  condition  of  our 
colony,  and  the  importance  of  a  large  section  of  coun- 
try to  which  the  colored  population  of  the  United  States 
may  emigrate,  and  by  their  example  and  industry  im- 
prove the  surrounding  natives  : — 

'•'•  To  assure  the  persons  with  whom  he  may  commu- 
nicate, of  the  disposition  of  the  American  Colonization 
Society,  and  the  ability  of  the  Colonial  Government,  to 
suppress  the  slave  trade  within  their  jurisdiction :  to  ex- 
plain the  elevating  influence  of  colonization  on  the  co- 
lored people  of  this  country ;  and  the  general  principles 
on  which  this  society  is  founded. 

••'To  ascertain  the  disposition  and  purpose  of  indivi- 
duals connected  with  the  Association  for  civilizing  Afri- 
ca, towards  the  American  Colonization  Society,  and  to 
receive  donations  in  aid,  and  on  behalf,  of  said  society." 

The  following  note,  from  tl\e  ChaiiTnan,  accompanied 
the  preceding  resolution,  and  bore  the  same  date : 

'*  The  Executive  Committee  of  the  American  Coloni- 
zation Society  would  advise  that,  in  visiting  England  as 
agent  of  said  society,  and  in  your  communications  and 
correspondence  with  the  projectors  of  the  African  Civili- 
zation Society,  their  officers,  or  persons  representing 
them,  or  any  other  society  or  association — you  coniine 
voursclf  to  presenting  the  principles  and  objects  of  the 
American  Colonization  Society,  and  the  ascertainment  of 
the  objects  of  their  association,  so  far  as  relates  to  any 
interference  with  the  jurisdiction  of  the  country  from  \ 


12  MISSION. 

Cape  Mcunl  to  the  river  Assince;  and  expressing  the 
wishes  of  this  society  that  no  settlements  or  purchases 
of  territory  may  be  made,  or  any  other  kind  of  interfer- 
ence with  the  natives  within  the  limits  above  named. 

'"'  As  to  further  details,  my  former  letters  to  you  Avill 
give  my  views  of  such  matters  as  may  be  important  in 
relation  to  trade.* 

"  Please  inform  me  Avhere  to  address  you  in  England." 
It  may  be  imagined  that  I  felt  some  regret  at  the  very 
limited  views  of  the  Committee,  exhibited  in  these  in- 
structions, transmitted  at  the  very  moment  of  my  depart- 
ure ;  but  I  was  disposed  to  think  considerations  of  pru- 
dence might  have  induced  them  to  wait  for  ampler  in- 
formation of  the  state  of  public  opinion  in  England,  and 
particularly  of  the  sentiments  and  purposes  of  the  Afri- 
can Civilization  Society,  before  proposing  any  specific 
measures  Avhich  might  tend  to  unite  by  friendly  ties,  and 
in  offices  of  reciprocal  advantage,  the  friends  of  Africa 
in  that  country  and  the  United  States.  I  had  no  oppor- 
tunity, at  that  late  hour,  to  communicate  with  the  gen- 
tlemen of  the  Committee,  and  the  commission  held  from 
the  President  of  the  society  authorized  me  to  conciliate, 
as  for  as  practicable,  by  expositions  and  explanations  of 
the  views  of  the  Colonization  Society,  the  regards  of  the 
English  friends  of  Africa,  as  well  as  to  seek,  by  confer- 
ence with  the  African  Civilization  Society,  and  other 
kindred  associations,  an  exact  knowledge  of  their  princi- 
ples, and  the  methods  and  means  by  which  they  would 
accomplish  their  objects. 

*  These  letters  were  unofficial,  and  containing  some  suggestions 
of  value  in  regard  to  acquiring  information  on  the  subject  of  the 
African  trade,  but  conferring  no  authority  to  enter  into  negotia- 
tions on  any  one  subject. 


FIRST  LETTER  TO  COMMITTEE.  13 

Having'  sailed  from  New  York  on  the  1st  of  July,  I 
arrived  in  London  near  the  close  of  the  same  month.  I 
sought,  without  delay,  an  interview  with  Dr.  Thomas 
Ilodgkin,  a  gentleman  well  known  to  me  and  all  intelli- 
gent friends  of  the  Colonization  Society,  not  only  for  his 
general  philanthropy,  but  for  the  unremitting  energy  and 
ability  with  which  he  has  publicly,  and  for  many  years, 
defended  the  character  of  the  society  and  Liberia  against 
a  host  of  fierce  opponents,  and  received  from  him  the 
kindest  welcome,  and  cordial  assurances  of  all  such,  co- 
operation and  aid  as  it  might  be  possible  for  him  to  aflbrd. 

The  following  is  my  lirst  letter  to  the  Committee  of 
the  American  Colonization  Society.  I  omit  a  single  para- 
graph originating  in  a  false  report  of  the  murder  of  Go- 
vernor Buchanan. 

"London,  July  31,  1840. 
'■'•  To  the  Executive  Committee  of  the 

American  Colonization  Society: 

"Gentlemen  :  A  kind  Providence  has  brought  me  in 
health  and  safety  to  this  great  metropolis  of  the  world. 
The  voyage  was  completed  in  about  twenty-six  days, 
and  I  arrived  here  from  Portsmouth  on  the  28th,  having 
in  company  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Sparks,  passed  a  day  at 
Winchester,  and  another  at  Salisbury,  on  our  way. 

"  I  have  received  the  most  kind  and  gratifying  atten- 
tions from  Mr.  Ralston  and  Mr.  Vaughan,  both  formerly 
citizens  of  the  United  States,  and  deeply  interested  in  the 
cause  of  African  colonization. 

"  Mr.  Buxton  is  absent,  for  two   or  three  days,  from 

the  city,  but  from  interviews  with  Dr.  Thomas  Hodgkin, 

(one  of  our  earliest  and  best  friends  in  this  country,) 

and  Mr.  McQueen,  (whose  name  appears  in  Mr.  Buxton's 

2 


14  Missioisr. 

work,)  both  of  them  members  of  the  African  Civiliza- 
tion Committee,  I  indulge  the  hope  that  my  visit  at  this 
time  will  be  productive  of  benefit  to  the  cause. 

"  Dr.  Ilodgkin  thinks  the  time  propitious,  and  suggests 
ihat  Mr.  Buxlon  and  the  Anti-slavery  Society  are  not  al- 
together harmonious. 

"•The  Anti-slavery  Convention,  I  am  informed,  was 
large,  and  the  American  delegates  took  occasion,  not  only 
to  cast  reproach  upon  their  own  country,  but  also  to  at- 
tack with  vehemence  the  American  Colonization  Society. 
Dr.  Hodgkin  stood  forth,  on  that  occasion,  as  the  warni 
and  decided  advocate  of  the  Colonization  Society.  There 
can  be  little  doubt  that  Messrs.  Birney  and  Stanton  are 
doing  much  to  strengthen  the  already  strong  prejudice 
existing  in  the  English  mind  against  the  United  States. 

"  By  the  next  conveyance  I  hope  to  be  able  to  report 
intelligence  which  will  be  of  interest  to  the  committee, 
and  also  to  transmit  some  documents  in  relation  to  the 
late  anti-slavery  movements  in  this  country.  What  I 
can  do,  to  correct  error  and  misrepresentation,  shall  be 
done.  I  have  strong  hope  that  the  mighty  energies  of 
England,  as  well  as  of  America,  will  be  mainly  directed 
to  the  elevation  of  the  colored  race,  by  the  civilization 
of  Africa. 

"  Gentlemen, 

"  With  the  greatest  respect  and  regard, 

"  Your  friend  and  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  ^  R.  R.  GURLEY." 

Tlie  following  letter  to  the  Executive  Committee,  was 
written  immediately  after  my  introduction  to  Lord  Bexley, 
and  my  earliest  interview  with  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton,  chair- 
man of  the  Committee  of  the  African  Civilization  Society  : 


SECOND  LETTER  TO  C0M3IITTEE.  15 

"Lo.\Dox,  August  17,  1840. 
''■  To  the  Executive  Commillce  of  the 

•    American  Colonization  Society: 

"Gextlemex  :  In  my  first  brief  communication  after 
my  arrival  in  this  city,  I  mentioned,  if  I  mistake  not,  that 
I  had  enjoyed  several  interviews  witli  that  excellent  and 
long  tried  friend  of  the  Colonization  Society,  Dr.  Hodg- 
kin,  by  whom  I  had  been  introduced  to  Lord  Bexley.* 
Dr.  Hodgkin  is  a  very  intelligent  memlDer  of  the  Society 
of  Friends — has  published  several  able  pamphlets  in  de- 
fence of  the  Colonization  Society  and  of  Liberia — is 
deeply  interested  in  the  objects  of  my  mission,  and  dis- 
posed to  aid,  by  every  possible  means,  in  their  accom- 
plishment. He  came  before  the  Anti-slavery  Convention 
to  sustain  the  cause  of  African  colonization  against  at- 
tacks made  there  upon  it,  and  has  prepared  for  publica- 
tion a  letter  to  the  American  delegates  to  that  convention, 
expressive  of  the  reasons  for  his  attachment  to  the  Colo- 
nization Society,  and  comprising  very  valuable  testimony 
ia  regard  to  the  condition,  influence,  and  prospects  of 
the  colony  of  Liberia. 

"  My  interview  with  Lord  Bexley  was  at  the  moment 
he  was  about  to  embark  for  the  continent ;  he  received 
me,  however,  with  great  kindness,  said  that  the  objects 
of  the  Colonization  and  Civilization  Societies  Avere  very 
similar,  and  informed  me  by  a  note,  after  I  left  him,  that 
he  should  hope  for  a  further  conference  after  his  return 
to  England. 

•'  An  interview  with  Sir  Thomas  Fowell  Buxton,  ow- 
ing to  his  absence  from  London,  could  not  be  obtained 
until  within  the  last  four  days.     On  Friday,  I  was  invited 

*TJiis  is  an  error.     The  introduction  was  from  Mr.  Yaughan. 


1$  MISSION. 

to  dine  with  liiin,  in  company  witli  Dr.  Ilodgkin,  Capt. 
Trotter,  (who  is  to  command  the  expedition  to  the  Ni- 
ger,) and  several  otlier  gentlemen,  at  Upton,  the  seat  of 
Samuel  Gurney,  a  Avealthy  banker,  and  distinguished 
member  of  the  Society  of  Friends.  Mr.  Buxton  read 
my  letter  from  Mr.  Clay,  apparently  with  deep  interest ; 
but  at  the  outset,  frankly  said,  that  he  thought  he  should 
not  agree  with  me  on  the  subject  of  slavery — that  he  had 
read  the  life  of  Aslimun  with  great  pleasure — that  he 
was  a  friend  to  Liberia,  and  believed  the  influence  of  the 
society,  as  far  as  he  Avas  informed,  beneficent  in  Africa, 
but  that  he  was  an  Abolitionist,  and  had  regarded  the  so- 
ciety as  operating  injuriously  in  the  United  States.  His 
views  of  the  influence  of  the  society  in  America  had  ob- 
viously been  derived  from  the  statements  of  its  enemies, 
and  his  knowledge  of  Liberia  was  very  limited  in  conse- 
quence, as  he  stated,  of  his  inability  to  obtain  access  to 
the  publications  of  the  society. 

"  In  the  course  of  the  evening  I  replied  to  numerous 
inquiries  concernmg  Liberia,  but  much  of  the  tune  was 
occupied  in  conversation  relating  to  the  purposes  and 
plans  of  the  African  Civilization  Society. 

"  On  the  next  day  I  was  favored  with  an  intervicAV  of 
several  hours  Avith  ]Mr.  Buxton,  when  the  conversation 
related  in  part  to  the  principles  and  policy  of  the  Colo- 
nization Society ;  his  opinions  being,  as  before  expressed, 
favorable  to  the  proceedings  of  the  institution  in  Africa, 
liut  otherwise,  in  regard  to  its  influence  in  America, 
deeming  it  an  obstruction  to  the  cause  of  emancipation 
in  the  south.  Of  course,  I  sought  \  ery  earnestly  to  cor- 
rect his  errors,  and  remove  his  prejudices. 

"  On  this  occasion,  I  took  the  liberty  of  making  sun- 
dry inquiries  in  regard  to  the  scheme  which  tlie  friends 


INTERVIEW  WITH   BUXTOX.  17 

ol'  African  civilization  in  England  propose  to  accomplish, 
and  also  to  state  explicitly  the  objects  of  my  mission. 

"To  my  first  inquiry,  "how  the  African  Civilization 
Society  was  connected  with  the  English  Government," 
his  reply  was,  that  he  had  submitted  his  work,  proposing 
a  remedy  for  the  African  slave  trade,  to  her  Majesty's 
Govenmient  before  its  publication,  and  that  the  plan  of 
operations  therein  suggested,  had  been  adopted  by  the  mi- 
nistry, and  that  the  outfit  of  the  expedition  to  explore  the 
Niger,  was  the  first  measure  of  the  Government  towards 
the  execution  of  the  scheme,  and  that  the  African  Civili- 
zation Society  had  been  instituted  to  co-operate  in  vari- 
ous ways,  and  under  the  protection  of  the  Gbvei;nraent 
with  the  ministry,  for  the  deliverance,  instruction,  apd 
elevation  of  the  African  race. 

"To  my  inquiry  as  to  who  would  hold  the  lands 
which  might  be  ceded  by  the  native  African  princes,  and 
exercise  the  sovereignty  over  the  territory  thus  obtained, 
he  expressed  the  desire  and  expectation  that  the  sove- 
reignty would  be  vested  in  the  English  Crown,  but  that 
the  territory  would  be  paid  for  by  the  contemplated  agri- 
cultural company,  which,  however,  is  not  yet  completely 
organized.  He  expressed  strongly  the  idea  that  the 
shield  of  the  Government  should  guard  the  benevolent 
industry  and  enterprise  of  such  associations  as  might  ap- 
ply their  exertions  to  the  suppression  of  the  slave  trade, 
but  left  me  to  infer  tlxat  all  the  details  of  the  plan  were 
not  yet  matured. 

"To  the  question  whether  the  British  Government 
would  expend  funds  and  make  efforts  in  aid  of  the  cause 
of  education  and  Christianity  in  Africa,  he  expressed  a 
belief  that  the  public  opinion  of  this  country  would  de- 
mand, such  an  expenditure  and  such  efforts. 
2* 


18  MISSIO.V. 

''To  inquiries  concerning  the  specific  objects  of  the 
African  agricultural  company,  I  learned  that  it  is  con- 
templated to  secure  territory  and  open  a  model  cotton 
plantation  on  the  banks  of  the  Niger,  to  obtain  colored 
men  from  the  West  Indies,  Demerara,  the  United  States, 
or  Liberia,  acquainted  with  the  culture  of  cotton,  to  com- 
mence the  plantation,  and  also  to  a  great  extent  to  em- 
ploy native  labor ;  and  that,  ultimately,  it  is  designed  to 
introduce  and  foster  the  cultivation  of  coffee,  the  sugar 
cane,  and  other  great  staple  tropical  productions.  A 
planter  who  has  resided  many  years  in  Demerara,  has 
been  consulted,  with  a  view  to  his  embarking  in  the 
scheme,  and  in  a  conversation  between  this  gentleman 
and  Mr.  Buxton,  I  learned  that  about  £50,000  is  deemed 
requisite  to  make  a  fair  and  full  experiment,  say  on 
iifteen  hundred  acres,  including,  of  course,  tlie  erection  of 
a  cotton  gin  and  press,  the  employment  and  transporta- 
tion of  agriculturalists  from  other  countries,  and  the  pay- 
-tnent  of  the  necessary  laborers ;  for,  although  the  expen- 
diture of  this  whole  amount  might  not  be  required  the 
first  year,  it  is  deemed  prudent  to  provide  for  difficulties 
and  exigencies  which  in  such  an  experiment  may  arise. 

"To  Mr.  Buxton  I  stated  very  distinctly,  that  the 
friends  of  African  colonization  in  the  United  States 
regarded  the  main  features  of  his  plan,  as  exhibited  in 
his  work,  as  identical  with  the  scheme  and  uniform 
policy  which,  at  all  times,  had  been  pursued,  and  with 
»uch  remarkable,  if  not  unexampled  success  by  the 
American  Colonization  Society  \  that  this  society  antici- 
pated the  extension  of  their  African  territory,  and  that 
Liberia  would  become  a  powerful,  as  it  was  already  a 
free,  prospercHis,  Christian  commonwealth  ;  that  the  pre- 
judices against   the   Colonization   Society  in   England, 


EXTENSION  OF  TERRITORY.  19 

arising,  I  could  not  doubt,  from  misinformation  or  mis- 
conception, were  known  in  the  United  States ;  that  the 
Directors  of  the  Colonization  Society  deemed  it  import- 
ant that  in  Africa,  at  least,  there  should  be  harmony  and 
non-interference  between  those  in  England  and  America, 
who  were  or  might  be  engaged  in  introducing  among  the 
barbarous  tribes  of  that  distracted  country,  the  know- 
ledge of  liberty,  civilization,  and  Christianity,  that  a 
much  more  extended  line  of  coast  would  be  necessary 
to  the  colony  of  Liberia,  and  that  I  was  authorized  to 
express  the  wish  and  expectation  of  the  society  I  had 
the  honor  to  represent,  that  it  should  be  agreed  and 
understood,  that  the  American  Colonization  Society 
^ould  enjoy  an  exclusive  pre-emptive  right  to  the  coun- 
try as  far  south  as  the  river  Assinee,  if  not  to  Axim. 

'•'  To  this  Mr.  Buxton  assented  as  reasonable ;  said 
there  M'as  abundant  territory  for  all,  and  that  he  should 
rejoice  were  other  settlements,  like  Liberia,  multiplied 
along  the  African  coast;  but  that  he  could  give  no 
pledges  for  the  Civilization  Society,  or  the  English 
Government,  but  would  be  happy,  on  the  return  of  Dr. 
Lushington,  Sir  Robert  Inglis  and  other  gentlemen  of 
the  committee  to  London,  to  afford  me  the  opportunity 
of  presenting  the  subject  to  their  consideration. 

*••  During  this  conversation,  I  also  alluded  briefly  to 
some  modes  by  which  the  societies,  in  America  and 
England,  might  operate  with  mutual  advantage  to  each 
other — in  the  exchange,  for  instance,  of  American  tobac- 
co at  Liberia  for  acticles  of  manufacture  from  England, 
and  that  emigrants  suited  to  aid  the  enterprises  of  the 
English  society,  might  be  supplied,  perhaps,  by  the 
American  society,  in  return  for  funds  to  promote  the 
cause   of   internal  improvement  in  Liberia,  from   the 


20  MISSION. 

philanthropists  of  England.  I  urged,  that  nowhere,  on 
the  African  coast,  in  my  judgment,  could  expenditures 
be  made,  with  such  advantage,  as  within  the  limits,  and 
in  the  vicinity  of  Liberia. 

"  On  no  one  point  has  a  deeper  interest  been  manifcst- 
e<l,  than  in  regard  to  the  prospect  of  inducing  persons  of 
color,  acquainted  with  agriculture,  in  the  United  States, 
to  emigrate  to  the  proposed  English  settlements ;  and 
my  opinion  is,  that  a  distinct  proposition  to  furnish  such 
emigrants  would  be  met  with  liberality. 

"  I  am  greatly  surprised  at  the  ignorance  of  very 
distinguished  and  benevolent  men  here,  in  regard  to 
Liberia.  Such  persons  have  been  astonished  to  learn 
that  this  colony  was  not  sustained  and  controlled  by  the 
United  States  Government — that  the  slave  trade  had  been 
checked  by  its  influence,  and  that  slavery  did  not  exist 
within  its  limits. 

'^  I  am  invited  to  confer  with  a  sub-committee  of  the 
Civilization  Society  to-morrow. 

'^  As  yet,  I  have  received  no  communications  from  the 
committee,  at  Washington,  since  I  left  the  United  States. 

'*  With  the  exception  of  instructions  to  stipulate  for 
all  that  line  of  the  African  coast  lying  north  and  west  of 
Assinee,  I  am  without  definite  authority  in  relation  to 
several  specific  objects,  which,  by  negotiation,  might 
probably  be  advantageously  secured. 

''  I  am  of  opinion,  that,  to  enlighten  the  public  mind, 
and  conciliate  the  public  favor  extensively  in  this  king- 
dom towards  the  Colonization  Society,  will  require 
prudence,  vigorous  ellbrts,  and  time ;  and  that,  if  any 
great  results  in  these  respects  are  anticipated,  the  stay  of 
an  agent  must  be  prolonged  for  several  months,  if  not 
for  a  year.     From  judicious   and   energetic  exertions 


THIRD  LETTER  TO  COMMITTEE.  21 

duiiug  such  a  period,  I  should  hope  benefits  of  great 
value  might  be  secured  to  the  society. 

"  I  have  great  pleasure  in  transmitting  herewith  copies 
of  letters  addressed  to  Dr.  Hodgkin  on  the  su1)ject  of 
Liberia,  the  first  from  Governor  Buchanan,  and  the 
second  from  Capt.  Stoll  of  the  Royal  Navy,  both  ex- 
ceedingly interesting,  and  worthy  of  pul)lication.  No- 
thing has  ever  appeared  from  Liberia  more  encouraging 
than  this  testimony  of  Capt.  Stoll,  and  when  the  source 
from  which  it  emanates  is  considered,  it  will  receive  full 
credit. 

'"  I  am  happy  to  forward  herewith  several  documents 
of  the  African  Civilization  Society,  and  will  seek,  by 
another  opportimity,  to  transmit  a  new  work,  just 
published  by  Mr.  ]\IcQueen,  containing  a  letter  to  Lord 
John  Russell,  much  geographical  information,  and  an 
improved  map  of  Africa. 

"Gentlemen, 

''  I  haA'e  the  honor  to  be,  with  great  respect, 

"  Your  friend  and  servant, 
"R.  R.  GURLEY." 

I  now  submit  my  next  letter  to  the  committee. 

"London,  August  26,  1S40. 
"  To  the  Exrculive  Committee  of  the 

American  Colonization  Society: 
"Gentlemen:  Since  the  date  of  my  last  letter, 
nothing  of  very  special  importance  has  occurred.  Mr. 
Buxton  has  retired  for  a  short  time  to  the  country,  for 
the  benefit  of  his  health,  and  as  he  expressed  a  desire  to 
become  well  acquainted  with  the  views  and  liistory  of 
the  Colonization  Society,  I  have  placed  in  his  hands 


22  Missio.v. 

nearly  all  our  reports,  and  an  entire  set  of  the  African 
Repository  up  to  the  commencement  of  the  present  year, 
directing  his  attention  to  such  articles  as  are  most 
worthy  of  liis  perusal. 

"During  the  last  week,  I  passed  an  hour,  at  their 
request,  with  a  sub-committee  of  the  Civilization  Soci- 
ety, appointed  to  collect  information,  and  having  stated 
to  them  numerous  facts  in  relation  to  Liberia,  their 
Chairman  was  authorized  to  seek  an  early  opportunity 
for  further  conference,  and  especially  to  impart  whatever 
knowledge  he  might  possess  of  the  views  and  policy  of 
the  English  Civilization  Society.  With  this  gentleman 
i  have  not  conferred  further  on  the  subject,  and  believe 
he  is  for  a  few  days  absent  from  the  city.  I  hope  soon 
to  see  him. 

*' Yesterday  I  breakfasted  with  Capt.  Trotter,  (who  is 
to  command  the  expedition  to  the  Niger,)  in  company 
with  Capt.  Allen,  (who  visited  that  river  in  Laird's  expe- 
dition, in  1S32,)  the  Rev.  Mr.  Muller,  who  is  chaplain, 
and  several  other  oflicers  and  scientific  persons,  who  are 
to  adventure  on  this  philanthropic  but  perilous  voyage  of 
discovery.  I  have  formed  a  high  opinion  of  Capt. 
Trotter,  as  a  candid,  very  intelligent,  and  noble  minded 
man.  The  first  steamboat  for  the  expedition  is  to  be 
launched  this  week  at  Livei-pool,  but  the  departure  will 
not  take  place  before  November.  It  is  intended  to 
employ  the  Kroo  people  as  laborers,  and  to  take  one 
hundred  and  fifty  of  them  from  Sierra  Leone.  Capt. 
Trotter  will  touch  at  Liberia,  and  I  have  promised  him 
letters  to  Governor  Buchanan. 

"  In  my  conversations  with  Mr.  Buxton,  I  have  ex- 
pressed the  opinion,  tliat  much  of  the  success  of  Liberia, 
and  the  remarkable  spirit  and  prosperity  of  its  citizens. 


GOVERNMENT  OF  LIBERIA.  23 

are  to  t)e  ascribed  to  tlie  share  tliey  possess  in  govern- 
ment, and  the  moral  certainty,  to  tlieir  minds,  that  to 
their  posterity,  if  not  to  them,  will  belong  the  privileges 
and  honors  of  a  free  and  independent  national  character. 

"  I  ventured  to  suggest  that  this  policy,  Avhich  had 
been  proved  so  eflectual  for  good  in  the  experience  of 
the  American  Colonization  Society,  might  merit  the  pro- 
found consideration  of  all  philanthropists  who  sought  to 
reform  and  civilize  the  people  of  Africa. 

"While  assenting  to  the  justice  of  the  remark,  Mr. 
Buxton  expressed  the  opinion,  that  it  was  at  this  moment 
impossible  for  the  Civilization  Society  to  decide,  abso- 
lutely, what  policy  should  be  ultimately  adopted  in  the 
African  settlements. 

"  Although  it  is  impossible  to  predict,  with  confidence^ 
what  will  be  the  result  of  my  mission,  I  have  not 
felt  myself  at  liberty  to  return  without  seeking  an 
interview  with  the  general  Committee  of  the  Civilization 
Society,  which  must  detain  me  here  several  weeks,  by 
the  close  of  which  time  I  hope  to  be  favored  Avith 
replies  to  my  several  communications  to  the  Board 
at  Washington.  Thus  far,  my  exertions  have  been 
directed  to  the  minds  of  individuals,  as  it  is  thought,  by 
judicious  friends,  of  vital  importance  so  to  influence  the 
opinion  of  the  Civilization  Society,  that,  in  appearing 
before  the  public,  even  if  denied  its  support,  I  may 
not  encounter  its  hostility.  It  is  a  matter  of  very 
deep  regret  to  me,  that  I  am  without  any  definite  and 
full  instructions  from  the  Committee  on  several  points 
which  are  of  great  interest  to  the  cause.  Letters  in 
regard  to  some  commercial  arrangements,  which  I  was 
informed  were  forwarded  to  New  York  by  the  Chair- 
man, have  never  been  received. 


24  Missiox. 

"Will  the  Committee  be  good  enough  to  consider 
whether  any,  and  if  so,  Avhat  proposition  or  propositions 
shall  be  made  to  the  Civilization  Society,  in  regard 
to  any  exchange,  on  the  coast  of  Africa,  of  American 
products  for  British  manufactures  ? 

"  Whether  any  stipulations  shall  be  suggested  to 
secure  the  neutrality  of  the  Liberia  settlements  in  case 
of  war  ? 

"  Whether  any  propositions  shall  be  made  to  secure 
free  trade  between  Liberia  and  all  British  colonies  on  the 
African  coast  ? 

"  Whether  any,  and  what  arrangements  can  be  adopted 
mutually  between  the  Colonization  and  Civilization  Soci- 
eties for  the  suppression  of  the  slave  trade  ? 

"Whether  the  Colonization  Society  will  encourage 
any  free  persons  of  color,  or  liberated  slaves,  acquainted 
with  the  culture  of  sugar,  rice,  or  cotton,  to  emigrate  to 
British  settlements,  and  on  what  condition  ? 

"  Whether,  in  case  funds  Avere  here  contributed  to  found 
and  sustain  a  high  school  or  college  in  Liberia,  it  should 
be  open  to  educate  youths  from  British  settlements  ? 

"  Whether  funds  may  be  expended  for  the  education  of 
native  Africans,  within  the  limits  of  Liberia,  by  the 
English  Civilization  Society,  and  under  what  regulations 
and  conditions  ? 

"  I  am  very  happy  to  learn,  by  a  note  from  Mr. 
Knight,  as  well  as  from  the  African  Repository,  received 
by  Dr.  Hodgkin,  that  animating  intelligence  has  been 
received  from  Liberia,  and  that  liberal  contributions  have 
been  made  recently  to  the  treasury  of  the  society.  I  am 
gratified  to  notice  Mr.  Cresson's  project,  already  well 
sustained,  and  which,  I  trust,  will  soon,  by  his  zeal  and 
perseverance,  be  fully  accomplished. 


SLAVES  PREPARING  FOR  FREEDOM.  25 

"For  a  short  time  I  propose  to  devote  myself  to 
interviews  and  correspondence  with  clergymen,  and 
others,  and  to  the  preparation  of  a  few  articles  for 
the  press.  Dr.  Ilodgkin  is  anxious  that  I  should  visit 
Clarkson,  as  well  as  several  eminent  philanthropists 
of  the  Society  of  Friends. 

"  The  American  delegates  to  the  recent  Anti-slavery 
Convention,  have  done  what  they  could  to  strengthen 
prejudice  against  our  society  in  the  public  mind  here,  as 
Avell  as  to  darken  and  degrade  the  character  of  the  great 
body  of  their  countrymen  in  the  eyes  of  the  people  of 
England.  But  such  testimony  as  that  of  Capt.  Stoll  is 
conclusive  evidence  of  the  beneficence  of  the  Colonization 
Society,  and  of  the  prosperity  of  Liberia,  and  must  pow- 
erfully afiect  candid  and  reflecting  minds.  Nor  does  it 
admit  of  doubt,  that  the  Civilization  Society  is  about  to  turn 
the  tide  of  thought  and  syiiipathy  to  Africa,  as  the  great  the- 
atre for  the  deliverance  and  elevation  of  the  African  race. 

"Mr.  Cresson  informs  Dr.  Hodgkin  that  numerous 
slaves  are  in  preparation,  for  freedom  in  Liberia,  and  that, 
for  every  £12  raised  in  England  towards  the  object,  he 
will  pledge  himself  to  plant  an  emancipated  slave  in 
Africa,  as  a  colonist,  and  will  guarantee  to  extend  this 
operation  to  10,000,  who  are  now  slaves.  I  am  not 
hopeless,  if  time  is  allowed  me,  of  doing  something 
effectual  for  the  funds  of  the  society. 

"  I  have  to  acknowledge  very  special  obligations  to 
Dr.  Hodgkin ;  and  also  that  Petty  Vaughan,  esquire,  and 
his  venerable  uncle,  William  Vaughan,  esquire,  as  well 
as  the  Messrs.  Ralstons  and  Junius  Smith,  L.  L.  D.,  are 
disposed  to  render  me  every  aid  in  their  power. 
"  I  remain,  gentlemen,  &c., 

R.  R.  GURLEY." 
3 


26  MISSION. 

The  first  communication  received  by  me,  in  Eng- 
land, from  the  society,  was  the  following,  extracted  from 
tlie  minutes  of  the  Executive  Committee,  and  enclosed 
in  a  note  from  a  gentleman  in  their  office,  Mr.  Knight : 

,  "At  a  meeting  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  the 
American  Colonization  Society,  held  at  their  oflice  in 
Wasliington,  July  27,  1840,  the  following  preamble  and 
resolutions  were  passed : 

"  Whereas,  The  sentiments  expressed  and  resolutions 
passed  at  the  various  meetings  recently  held  in  London 
by  several  societies,  and  especially  the  one  called  the 
'World's  Convention,'  are  hostile  to  the  interests  and 
institutions  of  this  country,  and  calculated  to  embitter 
the  feelings  of  our  citizens,  to  strengthen  and  perpetuate 
hostility  to  the  cause  of  colonization,  and  are  now  pro- 
ducing great  excitement :  therefore, 

"  1st.  Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  R.  R.  Gurley  be,  and 
is  hereby,  particularly  requested  not  to  compromit  the 
known  and  avowed  objects  and  intentions  of  this  society, 
and  that,  in  making  any  communications  intended  for 
publication  in  this  country,  relating  to  the  views  and 
objects  of  the  several  societies  in  England,  they  be 
exclusively  directed  to  the  Executive  Committee  of  the 
American  Colonization  Society. 

"  2d.  Resolved,  That  on  the  completion  of  his  mission 
to  England,  Mr.  Gurley  be,  and  is  hereby,  requested  to 
return  to  Boston  and  prosecute  the  interests  and  objects 
of  the  American  Colonization  Society,  by  collecting 
funds  in  that  city  and  adjacent  places,  in  accordance  with 
these,  and  other  suggestions  and  instructions  which  may 
hereafter  be  given  him. 

"3d.  Resolved,  That  Mr.  Knight  be, and  he  is  hereby. 


RESOLUTIONS  OF  COMMITTEE.  27 

requested  to  forward  a  copy  of  the  foregoing  preamble 
and  resolutions  to  the  Rev.  R.  R.  Gurley,  now  in  England, 
by  the  steam  packet  to  sail  first  of  August. 
"  A  true  copy  from  the  minutes. 

«  F.  KNIGHT, 
"  Assistant  Secretary, 
"  American  Colonization  Society. 
"Colonization  Rooms, 

"  Washington,  Juhj  28,  1840." 

These  resolutions,  it  will  be  seen,  were  adopted  just 
about  the  time  of  my  arrival  in  London.  It  was  stated 
in  the  accompanying  note,  that  they  were  passed 
under  an  anxiety  of  the  Committee,  produced  by  the 
proceedings  of  the  World's  Convention,  in  order 
that  nothing  might  be  done  to  involve  the  American 
Colonization  Society  in  any  measures  of  any  English 
societies ;  that  the  Committee  "  felt  great  confidence  in 
my  good  judgment,  and  trusted  that  good  would  result 
from  private  conferences  with  wise  and  judicious  men  in 
England."  Allusion  was  also  made  to  the  independent 
stand  taken  by  the  Louisiana  Society,  and  to  apprehen- 
sions that  Mississippi  would  adopt  the  same  policy ;  and 
it  was  suggested  that,  by  accepting  for  a  time  an  agency 
in  those  States,  I  might  contribute  to  restore  united  and 
harmonious  action.  That  I  was  surprised  at  these  reso- 
lutions, will  not  seem  incredible,  when  it  is  considered 
that  they  came  from  a  committee  of  my  professed  friends, 
to  whom  I  looked  for  definite  instructions  and  firm 
support ;  that  they  spoke  of  a  completion  of  my  mission 
and  my  return  before  I  had  even  commenced  my  work, 
or  had  time  to  announce  my  arrival  in  England — that 
they  seemed  to  imply  the  existence  of  a  time  fixed  or 


28  Missiox. 

limited,  for  this  mission,  which  had  been  left  indetermi- 
nate— and,  above  all,  that  they  directed  my  engaging  in 
the  duties  of  an  agency  in  Boston  when  it  was  known 
to  their  authors  that  the  attempt,  (but  too  successful,)  in 
my  absence,  to  exclude  me,  by  amending  the  constitution 
of  the  Society,*  from  a  seat  in  the  Committee,  which,  in 
virtue  of  my  office,  I  had  for  many  years  held,  and  thus 
not  only  to  diminish  my  influence,  but  deprive  the  station 
I  had  occupied  of  its  chief  attractions  to  an  honorable 
mind,  had  compelled  me  to  send  in  my  resignation, 
which  had  been  withdrawn  only  at  their  unanimous 
request,  with  the  understanding  that  it  would  be  reneAved, 
unless  at  the  next  annual  meeting  of  the  Directors  the 
causes  Avhich  produced  it  should  be  removed. 
I  here  submit  my  reply  to  this  communication. 

"  London,  August  27,  1840. 

"My  Dear  Sir  :  I  have  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of 
your  two  favors  of  the  2Sth  of  July,  and  refer  you  to 
my  letters  to  the  Executive  Committee  for  infomiation  of 
my  proceedings,  and  of  the  present  state  of  sentiment 
towards  the  colonization  cause  m  this  country.  I  find 
the  opinions  of  the  English  very  much  in  unison  with 
my  expectations,  and  while  I  find  little  to  animate,  I  see 
nothing  to  discourage  me. 

"  Mr.  Buxton  and  his  Civilization  Society  will,  I  think, 
take  no  ground  in  opposition  to  the  Colonization  Soci- 
ety, in  Africa  we  may  look  to  them  for  amity  and 
co-operation,  yet  how  f^r  they  will  deny  or  grant  to  us, 
in  our  American  operations,  either  purity  of  motive  or 
beneficence  of  conduct,  is  yet  to  be  decided. 

"  I  greatly  regret  that  the  Louisiana  Society  should 

*  See  Appendix  A. 


INSTRUCTIONS  DESIRED.  29 

have  deemed  it  necessary  to  assume  an  independent 
position,  but  am  gratified  to  learn  that  the  general  cause 
is  gaining  strength,  and  that  generous  contributions  are 
flowing  into  the  treasury.  I  anticipated  increased  dona- 
lions  from  the  earnest  efforts  and  appeals  made  to  the 
Christians  of  our  country  just  before  the  fourth  of  July. 

"We  have  peculiar  reason  for  gratitude  to  the 
Almighty  for  his  protecting  care  of  the  colony,  and 
that  recent  arrivals  bring  intelligence  of  its  increasing 
prosperity.  Mr.  Buchanan  (whose  name,  it  gives  me 
pleasure  to  think,  I  first  proposed  to  the  Board  for  the 
ofhce  of  governor,)  has  administered  the  colonial  affairs 
with  great  good  sense,  energy  and  courage,  and  won  for 
himself  a  very  honorable  and  lasting  fame. 

"  I  must  be  permitted  to  suggest  to  the  Committee, 
through  you,  the  propriety  of  transmitting  as  ample 
instructions  as  possible  on  all  subjects  related  to  the 
objects  of  my  mission.  I  will  thank  you  to  forward, 
through  Henry  Smith,  esquire,  of  New  York,  the 
African  Repository,  and  such  other  papers  as  may  inform 
me  of  the  condition  and  prospects  of  the  Colonization 
Society. 

^  Much  time  and  judicious  and  energetic  exertions  are 
required  to  produce  a  very  extensive  and  salutary  change 
in  favor  of  our  society  in  this  kingdom.  I  am  inclined 
to  think  such  a  change  can  be  effected,  and  that  it  will 
richly  compensate  for  any  expense  of  effort  or  money 
necessary  to  accomplish  it.  But  my  means  of  forming 
a  judgment  are  at  present  limited.  I  hope  to  express 
myself  with  greater  confidence  by  the  next  opportunity. 

"The  united  and  generous  endeavors  of  the  New 
York,  Pennsylvania,  and  New  Jersey  Societies  in  the 
cause,  are  very  encouraging  omens,  and  let  us  cherish 
3* 


30 


MISSION. 


the  hope,  that  one  sentmient  of  charity  will  animate  the  so- 
cieties (liowever  they  may  difier  in  their  modes  of  opera- 
tion, or  be  separated  in  their  proceedings  for  the  same  end,) 
formed  to  plant  civilization  and  Christianity  in  Africa. 
"  While  I  am  deeply  sensible  how  much  the  interests 
of  the  society  demand  my  early  return  to  the  regular 
and  constant  discharge  of  my  duties,  as  Secretary,  at 
Washington,  where  I  should  find  much  pleasure  in  con- 
tributing my  humble  aid  to  the  deliberations  and  proceed- 
ings of  the  Committee,  yet  I  do  not  feel  at  liberty  to 
abandon  my  duties  here  until  I  shall  have  conferred  more 
fully  with  the  Directors  of  the  African  Civilization  Soci- 
ety, or  am  more  thoroughly  apprised  of  the  judgment 
adopted  in  view  of  the  facts  of  the  case,  by  those  I 
have  the  honor  to  represent. 

"  Very  truly  and  faithfully, 

"  My  dear  sir, 
"  Your  friend  and  servant, 

"  R.  R.  GURLEY- 
"  Franklin  Knight,  Esq." 

The  next  token  of  confidence  and  encouragement- 
bearing  something  of  an  official  character,  was  the  fol- 
lowing, signed  by  three  distinguished  members,  my  per- 
sonal friends,  of  the  New  York  Colonization  Society. 
I  omit  names.* 


*  It  is  proper  for  me  to  state,  that  tlie  name  of  one  of  these 
gentlemen  was  affixed  to  this  letter  by  his  consent,  but  without 
his  knowledge  of  its  precise  contents,  and  that  he  subsequently 
deemed  the  letter  uncalled  for,  and  unworthy  of  its  authors.  Nor 
do  I  doubt  that  pure  motives  gave  origin  to  the  communication 
— yet  it  strikingly  exhibits  the  strange  illusions  thrown,  at  this 
period,  over  the  minds  of  my  friends. 


evidence  of  confidence.  31 

"Colonization  Kooms,  New  York, 

'' August  7,  1840. 

"Sir:  Inrorniation  has  reached  us,  and  from  sources 
entitled  to  credit,  by  which  we  are  equally  astonished  and 
alarmed,  tliat  you  have  conveyed  *  *  a  proposition  to  sell 
to  Mr.  Buxton,  and  his  associates,  the  settlement  at  Cape 
Palmas,  and  transfer  to  them  the  emigrants  who  have  been 
conveyed  to  that  colony.  Such  a  proposition,  if  consum- 
mated, would,  in  our  opinion,  be  not  only  I'atal  to  the 
cause  of  colonization,  but  rivet  the  chains  of  the  ill-fated 
negro  for  generations  to  come,  and  bring  a  stain  upon  the 
American  character,  which  all  future  time  would  not  wash 
away.  The  very  idea  of  persuading  the  poor  colored 
man  to  leave  his  native  shores,  with  promises  that  our 
fostering  care  should  be  extended  to  him  on  a  foreign 
land,  and  then  transfer  him  to  other  and  unknown  hands, 
would  expose  us  who  are  agents  in  the  enterprise,  to 
the  contempt  of  our  patrons  whose  money  we  have  soli- 
cited, and  would  in  our  opinion  expose  our  common  coun- 
try to  the  scorn  of  the  civilized  world. 

"  We  would  most  fondly  cherish  the  hope  that  our  intel- 
ligence IS  unfounded;  but  if  there  is  even  the  shadow  of 
truth  in  this  rumor,  that  you  have  borne  to  Mr.  Buxton 
a  communication  of  this  nature,  Ave  protest  against  it  in 
the  name  of  our  Master,  and  of  our  countiy,  and  of  the 
colored  man  to  whom  Ave  have  made  professions  of  dis- 
interested benevolence.  You  knoAv  that  it  was  Avith  great 
difficulty  Ave  could  spare  the  means  of  sending  you  to 
England,  and  it  Avas  explicitly  understood  and  expressed, 
that  your  exclusive  object  was  to  promote  the  cause  of 
colonization,  Avhich  Ave  have  uniformly  regarded  as  the 
cause  of  humanity  and  religion;  but  a  proposition  of  the 
nature  to  Avhich  Ave  have  referred,  must  inevitably  blast 
our  hopes  of  the  noblest  scheme  Avhich  ever  originated 


32  MISSION. 

ill  the  bosom  of  philanthropy.  Sucli  would  be  the  alarm 
excited  by  a  knowledge  of  this  report,  tliat  we  dare  not 
disclose  it  even  to  our  associates  in  the  Board,  and  the 
fact  is  known  only  to  us  whose  names  are  undersigned. 
The  fact,  if  disclosed,  Avould  defeat  all  application  to  the 
friends  of  Africa  for  discharging  those  heavy  responsibili- 
ties Avhich  Ave  have  recently  incurred  by  the  outfit  of  the 
Saluda.  If  Cape  Palmas  is  oflered  for  sale,  we  will  rather 
make  an  effort  to  purchase  than  be  accessory  to  the  perpe- 
tration of  a  deed  by  which  Ave  must  appear  traitors  to  the 
colored  race.  Fail  not  to  inform  us  by  the  first  opportunity 
relative  to  this  fact,  and  lest  one  letter  should  miscarry,  let 
duplicates  be  forwarded  that  our  anxieties  may  be  remoA^ed. 
"Rev.  R.  R.  Gurley." 

To  this  letter  (bearing  date  it  Avill  be  observed  about 
ten  days  after  my  arrival  in  England)  I  hastened  to  reply 
in  the  folloAving  terms  : 

"London,  September  1,  1840. 

"Gentlemen:  In  reply  to  your  letter  of  the  7th  of 
August,  it  gives  me  pleasure  to  say,  that  I  have  made  no 
proposition  for  the  sale  of  Cape  Palmas,  to  Mr.  Buxton, 
or  to  his  associates.     The  rumor  referred  to  by  you  may 

have  originated  from  a  conversation  between  Mr. 

and  myself,  just  before  I  left  the  United  States,  but  I  am 
not  aware,  that  I  have  ever  alluded  to  that  conversation 
in  the  presence  of  any  English  gentleman,  since  I  have 
been  upon  this  shore.  I  send,  as  you  request,  duplicates 
of  this  note,  and  have  the  honor  to  be, 

"  Gentlemen,  Avith  great  respect,  &c., 

"Messrs.  "R.  R.  GURLEY." 

On  the  next  day,  I  addressed  to  these  gentlemen  the  fol- 
lowing more  explicit  note : 


REPLY    TO    XEW    YORK    FRIENDS.  33 

«  London,  Sept.  2,  1840. 

"  Gentlemen  :  — On  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of  the 
7th  of  August,  yesterday,  I  wrote  you  briefly  and  with 
that  surprise  which  a  communication  of  that  character 
and  so  unexpected,  would  naturally  excite.  I  had  already 
been  astonished  by  a  letter  from  another  quarter  in  Ameri- 
ca, and  it  seemed  as  though  some  disastrous  twilight  must 
have  fallen  on  the  Society,  in  which  suspicions  were 
thickly  flying  abroad.  I  have  thought  it  might  be  more 
satisfactoiy  to  you,  to  add  a  few  words  in  explanation. 
I  knoAV  nothing  of  the  sources  of  the  rumor  to  which 
you  refer,  but  presume  it  must  have  arisen  from  some 
misapprehension  in  the  United  States,  of  a  conversation 
between  Mr. and  myself. 

"  I  may  have  alluded  to  this  conversation  before  I  left 
the  country,  and  some  one  have  thought  proper  so  to  speak 
of-  it  as  to  occasion  your  astonishment  and  alarm. 

"  But  the  conversation  was  a  mere  casual  and  unofficial 
matter,  never  intended,  I  presume,  to  be  viewed  as  ex- 
pressing the  opinions  of  his  Society ;  never  deemed  by 
me  as  giving  me  any  authority, and  I  have  already  stated, 
not  such  as  to  dispose  me  to  mention  the  subject  to  any 
English  gentleman  since  my  arrival  in  London.     And  it 

is  due  to  Mr. to  say,  that  in  his  speculations,  (for 

such  I  think  his  remarks  should  be  viewed,)  I  do  not  be- 
lieve he  had  a  thought  of  acting  Avithout  the  consent  or 
against  the  welfare  of  Cape  Palmas.  I  trust,  therefore, 
the  subject  Avill  not  be  mentioned  to  his  injury.*  I  shall 
hope  to  be  able,  in  various  Avays  to  promote  the  cause  of 
our  Society  in  this  kingdom. 

"With  great  respect,  gentlemen,  &.c., 

"Messrs.  "R.  R.  GURLEY." 

*  If  fairly  reported,  it  could  do  that  gentleman  no  injury  with 
honorable  men. 


34  MISSION. 

The  instructions  in  my  commission  were  general.  The 
views  communicated  by  the  committee  on  the  subject 
alone  of  extending  the  Liberian  territory,  were  definite. 
The  prorogation  of  Parliament  almost  immediately  on  my 
arrival  in  London,  was  a  signal  for  the  dispersion  of  the 
nobilit}',  and  more  distinguished  citizens,  and  the  absence 
of  many  members  of  the  general  committee  of  the  African 
Civilization  Society,  rendered  it  impossible  for  some 
weeks  to  present  any  subject  to  their  consideration.  Nor 
was  it  in  my  power  to  fulfil  the  object  of  my  visit,  or 
ascertain  their  views  in  reference  to  an  extension  of  the 
Liberian  territory,  without  a  conference  with  this  com- 
mittee. The  Civilization  Society  Avas  about  to  hold 
public  meetings  in  various  parts  of  England,  and  the  hope 
was  cherished  by  some  of  its  ablest  friends,  who  W'ere 
friends  also  of  the  Colonization  Society,  that  opportunity 
would  be  granted  to  me  at  these  meetings  of  enforcing 
the  claims  of  that  association  in  connection  with  such 
explanations  of  the  views  of  oiir  countr}Tnen  who  were 
successfully  engaged  in  planting  the  seeds  of  knowledge, 
liberty,  and  a  pure  faith  in  Liberia,  and  thus  of  removing 
from  the  minds  of  the  English,  their  unfortunate  and 
unjust  prejudices  against  the  American  Colonization  So- 
ciety. 

It  is,  I  must  presume,  generally  known,  tliat  through 
the  earnest  efforts  of  Mr.  Cresson  and  Dr.  Hodgkin,  a 
Society  was  organized  in  London,  some  eight  years  ago, 
denominated  the  British  African  Colonization  Society ; 
that  his  Royal  Highness,  the  Duke  of  Sussex,  presided 
at  its  formation  •  that  Lord  Bexley  and  many  other  emi- 
nent men  gave  to  it  their  countenance  ;  that  its  declared 
object  was  "  to  promote  the  establishment  of  Christianity 
and  civilization  among  the  natives  of  Africa,  chiefly  by 
the  employment  of  persons  of  African  birth  or  descent ; 


BRITISH  AFRICAN  COLONIZATION  SOCIETY.  35 

and  to  the  entire  abolition  of  the  slave  trade ;"  and  tliat 
for  these  ends  it  was  determined  "  to  enter  into  corres- 
pondence and  co-operation  with  the  American  Coloniza- 
tion Society,  and  with  the  several  missionary  and  other 
religious  and  charitable  societies  in  Great  Britain,  the 
United  States,  and  elsewhere,  in  their  endeavors  to  raise 
the  civil,  moral,  and  religious  condition  of  the  Africans." 
Between  this  society  and  the  American  Colonization 
Society,  there  existed  mutual  confidence ;  funds  to  some 
extent  were  contributed  in  England ;  and  the  village  of 
Bexley,  on  the  banks  of  the  St.  John's  river,  in  Liberia, 
sprung  into  existence  under  the  fostering  care  of  this 
association.  Distrust,  however,  of  the  benevolence  of 
the  Colonization  Society,  was  extensively  produced  in 
England  by  the  zeal  and  misrepresentations  of  American 
Abolitionists,  and  the  operations  of  this  British  society 
were  entirely  arrested.  Indeed,  upon  my  ari'ival  in  Lon- 
don, it  had  but  a  nominal  existence.  The  British  African 
Civilization  Society  had  risen,  as  it  were,  to  occupy  its 
place ;  was  established  for  nearly  the  same  objects ;  and, 
but  for  its  want  of  sympathy  with  the  friends  of  Africa 
in  the  United  States,  might  have  been  regarded  as  embo- 
dying all  its  vital  principles  and  advantages.  It  was,  then, 
a  question  Avith  the  English  friends  of  the  American 
Colonization  Society,  whether  an  attempt  should  be 
made  to  revive  the  British  African  Colonization  Society. 
The  chief,  if  not  only  reason  for  such  an  attempt,  arose 
from  the  apparent  indisposition  (beginning  to  be  mani- 
fest,) of  the  Civilization  Society  to  reciprocate  the  con- 
fidence and  regard  of  the  Colonization  Society.  The  hope 
was  still  entertained  that  this  indisposition  might,  by 
correct  statements,  be  overcome ;  but  if  not,  it  was 
clearly  important  that  the  Colonization  Society  should, 


36  Missiox. 

through  some  other  means,  make  known  its  doctrines 
and  success  to  the  people  of  England.  Several  gentle- 
men, interested  in  the  object  of  my  mission,  were  invited 
by  Dr.  Hodgkin  to  meet  at  his  house,  and  consider  the 
best  means  of  effecting  it,  but  previously  to  their  delibe- 
rations, I  addressed  the  following  letter  to  the  Com- 
mittee at  Washington : 

"Lo.vDON,  Septemier  11,  1S40. 
"  To  the  Executive  Committee  of  the 

American  Colonization  Society: 

"Gentlemen:  Since  I  last  Avrote,  nothing  of  great 
importance  has  occurred  here  in  relation  to  the  interests 
of  the  American  Colonization  Society. 

"  Soon  after  my  interviews  with  Mr.  Buxton,  he 
retired  into  the  country,  supplied  with  nearly  all  the 
publications  of  our  society,  which  I  trust  lie  will  peruse 
with  attention  and  candor.  I  have  addressed  to  him  a 
letter,  on  the  subject  of  the  importance  of  a  union,  in 
sympathy  at  least,  between  the  friends  of  African  civili- 
zation in  England  and  the  United  States,  but  as  yet  have 
not  been  favored  with  a  reply.  My  impressions  are, 
that  every  thing  is  w^orking  slowly  but  favorably  for  us 
here,  and  that  a  large  portion  of  public  sentiment  in 
England  and  America  may  be  brought  to  coalesce  and 
co-operate  for  the  civilization  of  Africa,  and  the  good  of 
the  colored  race. 

"  Some  days  ago,  I  was  invited  to  meet  several  gentle- 
men of  the  Committee  of  the  British  and  Foreign  Anti- 
slavery  Society,  in  a  conference  relating  to  African 
colonization,  and  the  objects  of  my  visit  to  this  country. 
I  was  accompanied  by  our  good  friend.  Dr.  Hodgkin, 
and   among   others   present   Avere   Messrs.  Birney   and 


DESIRABLE    TO    BE    COXCILIATORY.  37 

Stanton,  delegates  from  the  United  States  to  the  recent 
Anti-slavery  Convention  in  this  city.  Dr.  Hodgkin  and 
myself  communicated,  to  those  present,  many  interesting 
facts  concerning  the  Colonization  Society  and  its  African 
settlements ;  heard,  and,  as  we  were  able,  answered  sun- 
dry objections;  defended  the  colony  from  reproaches 
cast  upon  it  as  participating  in  the  slave  trade ;  and, 
finally,  produced  the  triumphant  vindication  of  Capt. 
Stoll  and  Governor  Buchanan,  in  regard  to  the  character 
of  Liberia. 

"  A  meeting  of  a  few  friends  to  the  Colonization  Soci- 
ety and  African  civilization,  is  to  take  place  at  the  resi- 
dence of  Dr.  Hodgkin,  to-morrow  evening.  I  hope  the 
first  steps  may  be  taken  for  measures  of  extensive  use- 
fulness to  the  African  cause.  If  the  British  African 
Colonization  Society  can  be  revived  as  a  branch  of  the 
Civilization  Society,  it  may  conduce  powerfully  to-  unite 
the  sentiments  of  England  and  America  for  the  civiliza- 
tion of  Africa,  and  I  should  hope,  aid  in  an  essential  man- 
ner, the  funds  and  operations  of  the  American  Society. 

"  It  is  of  great  importance  that  a  kind  spirit  towards  our 
noble  minded  friends  in  Great  Britain,  should  be  shown 
in  all  our  publications,  and  that  our  aim  should  be  not 
to  recriminate  but  to  conciliate. 

"  I  hope  to  receive  very  full  communications  and  in- 
structions by  the  return  of  the  Queen. 

"  In  the  mean  time,  I  shall  be  exerting  my  best  abilities 
to  advance  the  great  cause  of  African  colonization,  and 
secure  that  union  so  greatly  to  be  desired  between  the 
philanthropy  of  Great  Britain  and  America,  for  the  re- 
demption and  elevation  of  the  colored  race. 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  gentlemen,  yours,  8cc., 

«  R.  R.  GURLEY." 
4 


38  Jiissiox. 

At  the  meeting  on  tlie  evening  of  the  12th  of  Septem- 
ber, at  the  house  of  Dr.  Hodgkin,  several  able  and  judi- 
cious friends  of  African  colonization  were  present,  and 
after  much  conversation,  adopted,  with  unanunity,  the 
following  resolution : 

"  Resolved^  That  it  is  expedient  to  revive  the  British 
African  Colonization  Society  in  union  Avith  the  African 
Civilization  Society,  and  that  its  title  be  'The  British 
African  Colonization  Society  for  the  civilization  of  Africa.' 

"The  objects  of  this  association  shall  be  not  only  to 
aid  the  general  purposes  of  the  African  Civilization  Soci- 
ety, but  also  to  establish  upon  the  African  coast,  colonies 
of  free  persons  of  color  from  the  West  Indies,  the  United 
States  or  elsewhere,  who  may  desire  to  emigrate  to  that 
continent;  to  strengthen  such  colonies  as  are  already 
founded,  by  assisting  emigrants  to  resort  to  them ;  to 
establish  schools  and  institutions  for  moral,  religious, 
intellectual,  agricultural  and  commercial  improvement; 
to  guard  the  rights,  civilize  the  manners,  and  instruct 
the  children  of  the  native  population  within  the  limits 
or  under  the  influence  of  these  colonies ;  in  fine,  to 
adopt  the  best  means  of  rendering  these  colonies  models 
of  good  government  and  christian  society." 

I  have  alluded  to  a  conference,  at  their  request,  with  a 
committee  of  the  Anti-Slavery  Society.  Two  of  the 
American  delegates  to  the  World's  Anti-Slavery  Conven- 
tion, Messrs.  Birney  and  Stanton,  were  present  at  this 
meeting.  Dr.  Hodgkin  and  myself  replied  to  the  various 
inquiries  proposed  by  the  committee  in  relation  to  the 
Colonization  Society,  and  the  condition  and  prospects  of 
Liberia,  and  endeavored  to  refute,  by  facts  as  Avell  as 
argument,  sundry  objections  urged  by  the  committee  and 
their  associates  against  the  Society  and  the  colony.     Re- 


COXFERENCE  WITH  A.  S.  COMMITTEE.       39 

cent  letters  from  the  colony,  and  particularly  the  state- 
ment of  Capt.  Stoll,  (an  officer  in  the  British  navy,  who 
had  then  but  just  returned  from  a  visit  to  Liberia,)  vindi- 
cating its  character,  and  bearing  testimony  to  its  influence 
against  the  slave  trade,  were  read  by  Dr.  Hodgkin. 

Seldom  have  I  been  more  painfully  impressed  by  im- 
looked  for  evidences  of  the  imperfection  of  our  nature, 
than  when  informed  soon  after  this  meeting,  that  state- 
ments had  been  made  by  some  present,  (Americans  I 
believe,)  to  the  venerable  Thomas  Clarkson,  personally 
injurious  to  me,  and  equally  if  not  more  so  to  the  colo- 
nization cause.  It  is  melancholy  to  think  that  this  great 
philanthropist,  oppressed  by  age  and  infirmities,  on  the 
very  verge  of  life,  should  hare  been  so  misled  from  the 
path  of  wisdom  and  charity,  by  those  who  can  offer  no 
sufficient  apology  for  their  misrepresentations,  as  pub- 
licly to  have  expressed  himself  in  language  neither  sanc- 
tioned by  reason  nor  justice,  and  unworthy  of  his  cha- 
racter and  fame.  I  allude  particularly  to  certain  papers 
bearing  his  honored  name,  widely  circulated  by  the  abo- 
litionists in  the  United  States.  But  the  fault  lies  more  with 
others  than  himself.  It  is  impossible  for  him  at  present 
thoroughly  to  examine  into  the  great  questions  between 
the  anti-slavery  committee  and  the  friends  of  African 
colonization  and  civilization.  In  a  note  to  a  friend,  he 
alluded  to  the  statements  of  one  or  more  gentlemen 
present  at  the  conference  with  the  anti-slavery  com- 
mittee. 

The  following  is  extracted  from  my  letter  to  Mr.  Clark- 
son,  occasioned  by  this  note  : 

"  You  are  pleased  also  to  refer  to  the  reports  of  certain 
persons  who  have  been  with  me  in  London,  and  who 
charge  me  with  a  want  of  '•straightforwardness^''  and 


40  MISSION. 

with  prevarication  during  what  they  liave  thought  proper 
to  represent  as  my  examination  before  the  anti-slavery 
committee.  Sir,  I  was  invited  in  very  friendly  terms  to 
meet  and  confer  with  that  committee.  I  replied  in  the 
best  manner  I  was  able,  to  their  numerous  inquiries.  I 
communicated  all  the  information  in  my  power  in  regard 
to  the  views  of  the  Colonization  Society,  and  the  colony 
of  Liberia.  Dr.  Hodgkin  has  already  stated  to  you  his 
views  of  my  conduct  on  this  occasion.  What  is  my 
reward  for  meeting,  at  their  own  request,  in  conference, 
these  individuals  of  the  anti-slavery  committee .''  To 
have  my  motives  impeached  and  my  reputation  assailed 
in  my  absence,  and  in  the  presence  of  that  great  and  good 
man,  whom  I  have  from  my  youth  regarded  with  more 
than  respect,  with  love  and  admiration.  '  Faithful  are  the 
wounds  of  a  friend,  but  the  kisses  of  an  enemy  are  de- 
ceitful.' 

"  It  is  right  for  me  to  state,  that  at  this  conference,  the 
editor  of  the  Anti-Slavery  Journal  was  present,  also  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Scoble,  and  that  our  friend  Dr.  Hodgkin  read  in 
their  hearing  Capt.  Stoll's  letter*  on  the  subject  of  Libe- 

*  "  215  PicADiLLY,  July  17,  1840. 
"My  Dear  Sir:  —  I  had  not  returned  from  the  country  at  the 
time  your  meeting  was  held,  to  which  you  were  so  kind  as  to 
invite  me ;  this  will  account  for  my  silence,  and  I  am  sorry  that 
the  press  of  affairs  on  me  at  this  moment,  should  interfere  with  my 
contributing  my  mite  for  the  African  race.  In  case  I  should  not 
meet  you  before  leaving  London,  I  shall  commit  the  following  facts 
to  paper,  all  of  which  are  from  my  own  observation,  relative  to  the 
American  colony  of  Liberia,  in  which  you  are  so  much  interested, 
and  justly  so.  My  opinion,  though  not  of  much  value,  is  that  it 
promises  to  be  the  only  successful  institution  of  the  sort  on  the 
coast  of  Africa,  keeping  in  mind  its  objects,  namely,  that  of  rais- 
ing the  African  slave  into  a  free  man  ;  preparing  liim  for  the 
exercise  of  civil  liberty,  in  its  various  branches,  from  the  governor 


LETTER    TO    Mil.    CLARKSOX.  41 

ria,  also  the  letter  of  Governor  Buchanan,  both  v/ritten 
this  year,  copies  of  which  have,  I  believe,  been  furnished 
you,  and  both  bearing  decisive  evidence  that  the  slave 
trade  was  extensively  suppressed  through  the  laws  and 
influence  of  that  colony ;  yet  within  a  few  days  after  the 
meeting,  an  article  is  published  in  the  Anti-Slavery  Jour- 
nal, to  prove  Liberia  to  be  aiding  and  abetting  the  slave 
trade,  and  not  a  word  said  of  the  recent  uncxccptionahlc^ 
decided  and  conclusive  testimony  on  the  subject^  submitted 
by  Dr.  Hodgldn.  Alas  !  the  disposition  to  detect  the 
mote  in  another's  eye,  while  a  beam  is  in  our  own,  was 
not  alone  prevalent  in  the  times  of  our  Saviour. 

"  jMuch,  however,  and  justly,  as  I  value  the  favor  and 
approbation  of  wise  and  good  men,  like  yourself,  my 
personal  reputation  is   of  little  consequence,  compared 

to  tlie  laborer ;  the  extinction  of  the  slave  trade,  and  last,  though 
not  least,  the  religious  and  moral  improvement  of  Africa  at  large. 
1st.  From  the  carriage  and  conversation  of  the  emancipated  slave, 
you  perceive  at  once  that  ho  feels  himself  a  freeman ;  they  one 
and  all  told  me,  they  were  men  now,  which  they  never  were  before, 
and  had  a  prospect  for  their  children,  not  in  the  least  regretting 
their  departure  from  America ;  on  the  contrary,  desirous  of  getting 
their  relations  over  to  join  them.  2d.  The  affairs  of  the  colony 
are  conducted,  with  the  exception  of  the  governor,  entirely  by 
colored  men,  chielly  liberated  slaves  ;  and  Mr.  Buchanan,  a  most 
able  and  zealous  friend  of  the  African,  assured  me,  that  their 
judicial  administration  would  do  credit  to  any  Slate  in  America, 
and  that  they  were  most  reasonable  in  all  their  propositions  and 
debates  in  their  House  of  Assembly.  They  are  all  quite  aware,  that 
nothing  but  industry  can  conduce  to  their  wealth  and  comfort,  and 
practise  it ;  even  the  Africans  captured  and  located  by  the  American 
government,  have  followed  the  example  set  by  the  colonists  for 
when  I  visited  them,  about  3  P.  M.,  the  hottest  part  of  the  day,  I 
found  them  all  at  work  on  their  farms.  3d.  No  one  in  the  remotest 
degree  connected  with  the  slave  trade,  is  allowed  ever  to  communi- 
cate with  Liberia,  much  less  trade  ;  and  from  a  little  afiair  with 
4* 


42  Missiox. 

with  tliat  of  the  institution  I  have  the  honor  to  represent^ 
and  my  regret  less  that  you  should  view  me  with  dis- 
trust, than  that  you  should  doubt  the  enlarged  humanity 
and  benevolence  of  the  American  Colonization  Society. 
With  grief  and  pain  I  have  perused  your  letter  to  Mr. 
Garrison.  From  that  letter  I  infer  that  Mr.  Cresson,  in 
the  enthusiasm  of  his  feelings,  may  have  erred  in  regard 
to  the  extent  of  the  spirit  of  emancipation  in  the  United 
States.  But  in  regard  to  the  Society  as  benevolent  in  all 
its  tendencies  towards  the  colored  race,  both  in  America 
and  Africa,  I  conceive  there  was  no  error  in  his  views, 
and  I  believe  it  can  be  shown  in  its  policy  and  pro- 
ceedings, to  have  the  sanction  of  reason,  justice  and 
religion  ;  and  that  the  first  impressions  which  you,  ven- 
erable sir,  and  your  former  friends  and  associates.  Lord 

myself,  and  other  ocular  proofs,  tliey  are  always  ready  (o  join  in 
an)-^  expedition  for  the  destruction  of  slave  factories.  4th.  They 
are  preparing  missionaries  from  amongst  themselves,  and  have 
already  attempted  it  on  a  small  scale,  but  with  what  success,  I  am 
not  ready  to  say,  not  having  had  an  opportunity  of  personal  inspec- 
tion ;  but  their  schools  do  them  credit,  more  especially  when  their 
small  means  are  considered.  The  colonists,  with  few  exceptions, 
are  all  members  of  churches,  and  I  can  most  safely  testify,  tliat  a 
more  orderl}'',  sober  set  of  people  I  never  met  with.  I  did  not  hear 
an  improper  or  profane  expression  during  my  visit.  Spirits  are 
excluded  in  most  if  not  all  the  settlements.  They  have  formed 
themselves  into  various  societies,  such  as  agricultural,  botanical, 
mechanical,  for  promoting  Christian  knowledge  ;  also,  a  ladies' 
society  for  clothing  the  poor,  &.c.  The  surrounding  Africans  are 
aware  of  the  nature  of  the  colony,  taking  refuge,  when  persecuted 
by  the  few  neighboring  slave  traders.  The  remnants  of  a  tribe 
have  lately  fled  to,  and  settled  in  the  colony,  on  land  granted  them. 
Between  my  two  visits,  a  lapse  of  only  a  few  days,  four  or  five 
slaves  sought  refuge  from  their  master,  who  was  about  to  sell,  or 
had  sold  them  to  the  only  factory  on  that  part  of  the  coast.  The 
native  chiefs  in  the  neighborhood  have  that  respect  for  the  colo- 


CAPT.  stoll's  letter.  43 

Gambler,  Mr.  Wilberforce,  the  Duke  of  Gloucester,  Mrs. 
More,  (now  enjoying  in  a  purer  world  the  rewards  of 
their  philanthropy,)  received  of  it,  when  Messrs.  Mills 
and  Burgess,  in  1S18,  visited  England,  were  entirely 
sound,  and  i-equired  no  change.  It  is  not  at  this  moment 
my  purpose  to  correct  the  errors  and  misrepresentations 
darkening  the  public  mind  of  England  on  this  subject, 
but  to  say,  that  I  am  prepared  to  do  this,  and, to  prove 
that  whether  we  regard  the  good  of  the  free  colored 
population  of  the  United  States,  the  peaceful  and  volun- 
tary manumission  of  slaves  in  that  country,  the  suppres- 
sion of  the  African  slave  trade,  or  the  intellectual  and 
moral  i-enovation  of  Africa,  the  scheme  which  the  Ameri- 
can Colonization  Society  has  proposed  and  thus  far 
prosecuted  with  such   remarkable    success,   merits    the 

nists,  that  they  have  made  treaties  for  the  abolition  of  the  slave 
trade,  as  also  constituted  tlie  governor  judge  in  the  dispute  amongst 
themselves,  and  a  remarkable  instance  had  occurred  only  a  few 
days  previous  to  my  visit ;  one  chief  submitted  to  the  arbitration 
of  Mr.  Buchanan,  though  contrary  to  his  own  idea  of  right  and 
justice,  and  paid  the  fine  imposed  upon  him.  I  could  say  much 
more,  but  my  time  does  not  admit,  and  I  must  conclude  this  ram- 
bling and  hurried  account  of  my  visit  to  Liberia,  with  this  obser- 
vation, that  I  went  there  unbiassed,  and  left  it  with  a  conviction 
that  colonies  on  the  principle  of  Liberia,  ought  to  be  established 
as  soon  as  possible,  if  we  wish  to  serve  Africa,  and  the  materials 
for  such  colonies,  I  think  can  only  be  procured  from  the  slaves  of 
the  United  States. 

"I  am  not  disposed,  from  what  I  have  seen  and  known  of  our 
AVest  India  blacks,  to  select  them  for  this  great  work,  if  for  no 
other  reason,  the  American  black  speaks  pure  English.  Excuse 
this  hasty  production,  with  all  its  faults  ;  but  rather  than  break  my 
word,  I  send  you  this ;  and  with  every  wish  for  your  success  in 
your  philanthropic  exertions,  I  remain,  my  dear  sir,  yours,  most 
truly,  JOHN  L.  R.  STOLL. 

"To   T.   HODGKIN,   M.  D." 


44  Missiox. 

approbation  and  generous  support  of  tlie  whole  Christian 
world.  You  approve  of  Mr.  Buxton's  plan.  I  fully  con- 
cur in  your  opinion  of  that  plan.  If  it  be  defective,  it 
is  only  in  that  particular  which  the  example  of  Liberia 
might  supply.  Good  government  and  free  institutions, 
are  elements  Avhich  above  all  things  else  Africa  requires, 
and  never  will  the  colored  race  attain  to  the  dignity  and 
honor  Avhich  every  good  man  must  desij-e  may  be  theirs, 
until  they  share  in  their  own  government  and  rise  to  an 
independent  national  existence.  Africa  is  their  rightful  in- 
heritance and  to  reclaim  her  from  superstition,  slavery, 
and  barbarism,  and  rebuild  the  ruins  of  her  former  civili- 
zation and  grandeur,  and  bring  her  under  the  dominion  of 
Christianity,  is  one  of  the  greatest  v/orks  to  which  a  people 
were  ever  summoned  by  the  Providence  of  the  Almighty." 

The  British  association  for  the  promotion  of  science, 
comprising  gentlemen  eminent  for  knowledge  from  all 
parts  of  England  and  Ireland,  and,  generally,  attended  by 
distinguished  persons  from  different  countries  on  the  con- 
tinent was  about  to  assemble  in  Glasgow,  and  the  African 
Civilization  Society,  had  resolved  to  seize  that  opportu- 
nity for  making  known  through  a  public  meeting  their 
principles  and  schemes.  My  friends  in  London  thought 
it  important  that  I  should  visit  Glasgow  at  this  time,  and 
it  was  hardly  imagined,  that  as  a  friend  of  the  Civiliza- 
tion Society,!  should  be  bedenied  the  privilege  of  express- 
ing the  cordial  interest  felt  by  many  thousands  of  my 
countrymen  in  the  plan  and  movements  of  that  Society. 
But  the  sins  of  the  good  and  the  follies  of  the  wise  would 
make  a  huge  volume  in  the  history  even  of  living  men. 

It  is  somewhat  remarkable,  that,  in  a  city  where  typhus 
fever  caused  by  extreme  want  is  never  absent ;  Avhere 
sixteen  thousand  persons  have  individually  in  a  single 


SPIRIT  OF   THE   SCOTCH.  4'5 

year  sought  a  night's  lodging  in  the  shelter  for  the  house- 
less and  been  fed,  (if  supplied  with  food  at  all,)  at  an  ex- 
pense of  three  pence  each,  per  day,  a  purse  of  some  nine 
hundred  pounds  was  respectfully  presented  to  Mr.  George 
Thompson  on  his  return  from  his  abolition  mission  in 
the  United  States,  and  Mr.  Garrison  and  his  associates  had 
been  welcomed  with  shouts  of  applause,  l)ut  a  few  weeks 
before  my  visit,  in  the  chapel  of  Dr.  Wardlaw.  No- 
where, perhaps,  on  the  Island  of  Great  Britain,  burns  the 
fever  of  abolition,  more  intensely,  than  in  Glasgow.  The 
high  and  generous  blood  of  the  Scotch  is  stirred  for  li- 
berty, nor  can  they  be  severely  censured,  considering  what 
appalling  and  horrid  pictures  of  American  oppression  and 
cruelty  have  been  held  up  by  our  countrymen  before  their 
eyes.  Dr.  Breckenridge,  it  is  true,  exerted  himself  with 
great  ability,  and  some  success,  to  correct  the  prevalent 
errors.  But  who  can  reason  down  the  excited  sympa- 
thies and  passions  of  a  Scotch  audience  influenced  by  the 
imagination  of  unparalleled  wrongs  against  enslaved  men 
in  a  remote  and  foreign  land!  Would  that  one-half  of 
the  sympathy  and  eloquence,  now  expended  in  Scotland  in 
behalf  of  American  slaves,  were  directed  to  her  wretched 
and  perishing  poor !  No  American  is  more  alive  than 
the  writer,  to  the  admirable  qualities  of  the  Scotch  cha- 
racter, and  it  was  painful  to  observe  the  best  natural  feel- 
ings perverted,  and  justice  forgotten,  through  erroneous  im- 
pressions of  American  institutions  and  American  slavery. 
Although  denied,  through  the  illiberal  policy  of  the 
gentlemen  who  controlled  the  proceedings  of  the  African 
civilization  meeting  in  Glasgow,  the  privilege  of  express- 
ing in  the  name  of  millions  of  my  countrymen,  their 
heart-felt  interest  in  its  object,  I  subsequently  invited 
some  two  hundred  persons,  (including  all  the  clergy,)  to 


46 


JMISSIO.V. 


meet  me,  and  to  a  small  number  of  intelligent  gentlemen, 
who  complied  with  this  invitation,  explained  the  object 
of  my  visit  to  England,  the  views  of  the  Colonization  So- 
ciety, the  state  of  Liberia,  and  read  to  them  the  valuable 
testimonies  of  Capt.  StoU  and  Governor  Buchanan.  With 
evident  gratification,  they  thanked  me  for  the  information, 
but  saw  little  benefit  to  be  expected  from  a  more  public 
meeting  at  that  time.  I  sought  by  private  interviews  with 
many  respected  persons  to  dispel  the  prevailing  errors  in 
regard  to  the  Colonization  Society  and  Liberia.  Both 
here  and  at  Edinburgh,  I  experienced  great  kindness  and 
hospitality ;  and,  in  the  latter  city,  so  eminently  endowed 
with  the  treasures  of  intelligence,  social  virtue,  and  the 
gifts  and  graces  of  Christianity,  I  found  individuals  still 
adhering  to  their  faith  in  a  society,  by  contributions  to 
which,  in  former  years,  they  were  permitted  to  found  a 
settlement,  bearing  the  honored  name  of  Edina  upon  the 
soil  of  Liberia. 

At  a  public  meeting  of  the  Abolitionists,  during  my 
stay  in  Edinburgh,  Messrs.  Birney  and  Stanton  attended, 
and  in  connection  with  exaggerated  statements  of  the 
cruelties  of  American  slave-holders,  Messrs.  Scoble  and 
Remond  animadverted,  emphatically,  on  the  character  of 
the  Colonization  Society. 

I  assured  the  public,  in  a  note  addressed  forthwith  to 
the  Editor  of  the  Scotsman,  that  I  was  fully  prepared  to 
show  that  this  Society  is  benevolent  in  its  tendencies  to 
all  classes  of  the  colored  race ;  that  the  free  people  of 
color  in  the  United  States,  in  opposing  its  influence,  are 
opposing  their  own  best  interest  and  that  of  their  whole 
race,  both  in  America  and  Africa ;  that  as  this  Society  is 
bound  by  its  constitution  to  colonize  only  with  the  con- 
sent of  the  free  people  of  color,  and  has  always  adhered 


RESOLUTION  OF  NEW  YORK  SOCIETY.  47 

•to  this  obligation,  the  expression  of  opinion  that  it  will 
be  an  advantage  for  this  people  to  emigrate,  no  more 
infringes  upon  their  liberty  or  rights  than  the  expression 
of  an  opinion  that  they  should  remain  in  the  United 
States ;  and  I  trusted,  before  leaving  that  kingdom,  to 
prove  to  candid  minds  that  Liberia  was  a  well  founded, 
well  governed,  and  rapidly  improving  Christian  commu- 
nity of  colored  emigrants,  animated  by  lofty  motives, 
informed  by  the  spirit  of  liberty  and  piety,  contributing 
to  the  suppression  of  the  slave  trade,  and  the  civilization 
of  the  native  Africans ;  and,  finally,  that  the  plan  of  the 
American  Colonization  Society  agrees,  in  all  its  leading 
features,  with  that  of  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton,  and  merited  uni- 
versal approbation  and  generous  and  constant  support. 

Before  I  left  London,  I  had  addressed  a  letter  to  Sir 
T.  F.  Buxton,  yet,  until  some  weeks  after  my  return,  late 
in  September,  received  no  reply. 

I  had  for  some  time  been  looking  anxiously  for  an 
answer  to  my  several  communications,  from  the  Execu- 
tive Committee  or  Board  of  Directors.  I  had  promptly 
reported  to  them  my  proceedings,  explained  the  state  of 
the  English  mind  in  relation  to  my  object,  and  sought 
on  all  important  points  particular  and  ample  instructions. 
It  will  be  recollected  that  the  New  York  Colonization 
Society  had  assumed,  very  generously,  the  expenses  of 
this  mission.  Before  the  close  of  October,  I  received, 
tlirough  the  kindness  of  the  venerable  Secretary  of  that 
Society,  (writing  under  date  of  the  1st  of  that  month,)  a 
copy  of  the  following  resolution,  which  had,  the  pre- 
ceding evening,  been  unanimously  adopted  by  its  mana- 
gers : 

"  Resolved^  That  as  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Gurley 
was  under  a  commission  from  the  Parent  Society,  at 


48  MISSION. 

Washington,  and  the  Executive  Committee  have  written 
officially  to  him,  in  relation  to  his  proposal  for  an  exten- 
sion of  the  time  allowed  for  his  remaining  in  England, 
lliis  Board  must  decline  acting  in  the  case ;  nevertheless, 
provided  Mr.  Gurley  could  raise  funds  in  England  for 
his  support  during  a  longer  stay,  it  would  be  gratifying 
to  us  that  he  should  so  remain." 

Nearly  at  the  same  time  came  to  hand  the  following 
preamble  and  resolution  from  the  Executive  Committee : 

"  The  letters  of  Mr.  Gurley  having  been  read,  asking 
specific  instructions  on  certain  propositions,  and  involv- 
ing his  protracted  continuance  in  England,  it  was,  on 
motion  of  Dr.  Lindsley, 

"  Resolved^  That  the  Executive  Committee  do  not  feel 
authorised,  or  deem  it  expedient,  to  enter  into  any  of  the 
arrangements  with  the  British  African  Civilization  Soci- 
ety, or  other  British  authorities  suggested  by  Mr.  Gurley, 
or  to  enlarge  or  contract  the  simple  object  for  which 
Mr.  Gurley  was  commissioned  by  the  Board  of  Directors 
to  go  to  England :  that  they  do  not  feel  tliemselves 
authorised  to  extend  the  term  of  his  absence  furnished 
by  the  Board  of  Directors  ;  and  that,  if  Mr.  Gurley  shall 
feel  so  far  impressed  with  the  expediency  of  continuing 
in  England,  to  effect  more  fully  the  object  had  in  view 
by  the  Board  in  sending  him  to  England,  as  to  induce 
him  to  transcend  the  term  to  which  he  was  limited,  the 
Committee  leave  it  to  Mr.  Gurley  to  act  on  this  point  on 
his  own  responsibility  to  the  Board  of  Directors,  both 
for  a:pproval  and  for  compensation." 

This  resolution  was  enclosed  in  the  letter  herewith 
submitted  from  a  respected  personal  friend  in  the  Com- 
mittee : 


LETTER  FROM  COMMITTEE.  49 

"  Rev.  R.  R.  Gurley^  Secretary.,  <^c.,  «^c 

"My  DEAR  friend:  I  have  been  requested  by  the 
Executive  Committee  to  enclose  to  you  a  resolution, 
expressive  of  their  views  with  regard  to  the  suggestion, 
in  one  of  your  late  letters,  of  an  extension  of  your  visit 
to  London,  and  also  on  the  several  inquiries  contained 
in  your  communications  relative  to  the  expediency  of 
carrying  out  certain  propositions  set  forth  therein. 

"  Several  of  those  propositions  were  deemed  very 
inexpedient — our  construction  of  our  constitution  inhib- 
ited any  action  on  others,  and,  indeed,  so  far  as  regarded 
your  mission  to  England,  we  view  it  as  an  act  of  the 
Directors  which  we  have  neither  a  right  nor  the  power 
to  interfere  with. 

''•  Advice  often  implies  authority.  Some  of  us,  and  I 
for  one,  were  under  the  impression  tliat,  confining  your- 
self strictly  in  setting  forth  the  origin  of  our  Society — 
in  proclaiming  its  pure,  peaceful,  constitutional  object — 
in  giving  a  true  history  of  our  progress  at  home  and  in 
Liberia — in  disabusing  the  minds  of  those  who  aim  at 
the  same  object  in  regard  to  every  thing  connected  with 
our  Society,  and  thus  commanding  the  sympathy,  if  not 
the  co-operation,  of  our  Anglo-Saxon  brethren: — In  so 
doing,  we  anticipated  much  good. 

"  We  do  not  doubt  that  you  have  already  done  much 
to  help  us — nor  do  we  doubt  your  prudence,  if  you  were 
really  informed  as  to  how  far  your  intercourse  with 
these  great  and  good  men  should  carry  you. 

"You  well  know  the  varied  material  of  which  the 
Board  of  Directors  is  composed.  Tou  also  know  how 
much  some  of  them  were  opposed  to  your  mission  ;  and 
desirous  to  act  strictly,  on  this  important  question,  within 
our  powers,  we  felt  constrained  to  adopt  the  enclosed  as 
5 


50  3IISSI0.V. 

tlie  alternative  of  our  former  resolutions  already  sent 
you,  leaving  you  to  settle  all  matters  Avith  the  Directors. 

•■'  You  will  remember  that  the  Society  meets  on  the 
22(1  of  January.  You  considered  your  interests  and 
feelings  injured  by  the  action  of  the  new  Board.  Yom- 
presence,  or  certainly  full  representations,  might  be 
important  to  the  Committee  as  well  as  to  yourself. 

"  If  you  should  determine  to  stay,  I  can  only  say  that 
you  will  find  me,  as  I  ever  have  been,  your  firm  friend, 
and  disposed  to  justify  you  in  doing  that  which  shall 
legitimately  carry  out  our  object. 

"  From  what  I  heard  in  conversation  with  Mr.  Smith, 
(Wadsworth  and  Smith,)  I  should  be  led  to  believe  that 
you  could  readily  raise  contributions  enough  for  your 
expenses. 

"  With  great  respect  and  friendship. 

"  Washington,  Sept.  22,  1840." 

To  this  resolution  and  letter  I  replied  as  follows  : 

"  LoNDox,   Oct.  29,  1S40. 
*'  To  the  Executive  Committee  of  the 

Jlmerican  Colonization  Society: 

"Gentlemen:  —  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge 
the  receipt  of  your  recent  resolution,  without  date,  en- 
closed in  a  letter  from  our  respected  friend,  Mr. . 

"  Although  1  am  under  the  impression  that  the  com- 
mittee are  clothed,  in  the  absence  of  the  Directors,  with 
full  powers,  and  have  therefore  felt  a  little  surprise  at  the 
purport  of  the  resolution,  yet  I  can  feel  no  desire  that 
they  should  assume  responsibilities,  except  when  they 
judge  it  expedient  for  the  interests  of  the  institution. 

"  I  should  immediately  return  to  the  United  States,  did 


LETTER    TO    COMMITTEE.  51 

I  not  feel  bound  by  regard  to  the  interests  of  the  cause 
of  African  colonization,  to  remain  for  a  few  weeks  longer, 
and  the  reasons  imposing  this  duty  upon  me,  I  now  beg 
leave  briefly  to  state  to  the  gentlemen  of  the  committee, 
and  through  them  also  to  the  Board  of  Directors.  I  must 
also  beg  that  my  former  communications  with  the  present 
one  to  the  committee,  may  be  submitted,  at  the  earliest 
meeting  of  the  Directors. 

"  First.  It  has  been  impossible  for  me,  as  yet,  to  secure 
an  interview  with  the  general  conunittee  of  the  African 
Civilization  Society,  but  such  an  interview  may  at  no 
distant  day  be  expected.  The  distinguished  members  of 
that  committee  have  been  absent  from  London  ever  since 
my  arrival,  but  are  now  beginning  to  return. 

"  Second.  I  addressed  a  letter  some  weeks  since,  to  Sir 
T.  F.  Buxton,  on  the  subject  of  the  society,  and  have 
within  a  few  days  received  his  reply.  To  this  letter,  it 
is  my  purpose  to  make  answer. 

"  Third.  At  the  earnest  advice  of  Dr.  Hodgkin,  I  visit- 
ed Scotland,  during  the  great  assemblage  of  learned  and 
scientific  men  at  Glasgow,  at  the  British  Association,  and 
sought  every  possible  opportunity  of  correcting  the  errors 
and  misrepresentations  which  are  universally  afloat  in 
regard  to  the  Colonization  Society  and  Liberia,  and  I 
wish  to  avail  myself  of  the  advantages  which  the  forma- 
tion of  an  extensive  acquaintance  has  given  me  for  difius- 
ing  light  and  infomiation  on  the  general  subject,  and  the 
great  objects  of  my  mission. 

"  Fourth.  There  is  a  prospect  that  with  time  and  pa- 
tience, the  British  Colonization  Society,  or  at  least  a 
committee  on  the  subject,  may  be  organized,  through 
whose  influence  pecuniary  aid  may  be  secured  to  the 
cause.  But  publications  on  the  question  are  indispensa- 
ble preliminaries  to  any  success. 


52 


MISSION. 


"  Fifth.  It  must  be  recollected  that  for  the  last  seven  or 
eight  years,  this  whole  empire  has  been  given  up  to  the 
Abolitionists  ;  that  the  Colonization  Society  and  Liberia 
have  been  objects  of  their  special  hostility  and  reproach  ; 
that  American  citizens  have  visited  this  Island,  and  are 
now  here,  to  vilify  the  character  of  their  own  country,  in 
connection  Avith  their  inflammatory  attacks  upon  slavery  ; 
and  that  the  formation  of  opinion  in  such  a  nation  as  this, 
is  hot  the  work  of  a  day. 

"  I  beg  leave  to  assure  the  gentlemen  of  the  Committee 
and  of  the  Directors,  that  to  labor  for  the  cause  of  African 
colonization,  in  England,  even  with  all  the  support  and 
encouragement,  which  my  friends  in  America  could  give, 
would  be  no  enviable  task,  but  a  sense  of  duty  alone,  to 
a  cause  very  dear  to  my  heart,  and  of  great  magnitude  and 
importance  to  my  judgment,  would  incline  me  to  stay  a 
moment,  cut  oif  from  all  pecuniary  aid  and  with  my  en- 
thusiasm chilled  by  words  of  coldness  and  discourage- 
ment from  the  United  States.  I  trust  the  Committee  and 
Board  Avill  make  due  provision  for  the  payment  of  my 
salary,  to  my  family,  as  their  circumstances  at  present 
demand  my  very  special  and  sympathising  attentions. 
"  With  the  greatest  respect, 

""  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  gentlemen, 
^'  Your  friend  and  servant, 

"R.  R.  GURLEY- 

I  was  favored  with  no  further  communications,  either 
from  the  Committee  or  Directors ;  from  the  latter  I  re- 
ceived not  a  line  during  my  absence  from  the  country. 

It  may  be  pertinent  to  indicate,  here,  what  I  deem  erro- 
neous in  the  preceding  resolutions  and  letter  of  the  Com- 
mittee. 

"  First.  It  will  be  seen  by  recurring  to  the  resolutions 


ERRORS  OF  COMMITTEE.  53 

of  the  Directors  creating  my  appointment,  that  the  time 
thereof  was  not  in  terms  limited  ;  and,  I  add,  understood, 
(at  least  by  myself,)  to  be  subject  to  the  future  considera- 
tion and  decision  of  the  Committee  or  Directors. 

"  Second.  I  had  never  solicited  the  Committee  or  Di- 
rectors, (even  had  the  time  been  limited,)  to  extend  it, 
but  merely  expressed  to  the  Committee  my  opinion,  that 
no  great  results  could  be  anticipated  from  an  agency  with- 
out time,  patience  and  prudence,  and  that,  if  these  Avere 
expected,  the  mission  must  be  prolonged  for  several  months, 
if  not  for  a  year.  This  opinion  was  submitted  as  an 
opinion  merely,  for  consideration  by  the  Committee,  if 
competent  to  consider  it,  and  if  not,  through  them,  to  the 
Directors. 

"  Third.  It  is  remarkable,  that  while  the  Directors,  in 
their  resolution  sanctioning  the  mission,  direct  that  1 
should  'proceed  with  all  convenient  despatch,  with  gen- 
eral discretionary  powers  under  instructions  from  tJic 
Executive  Committee,  to  communicate  to  the  friends  of 
African  civilization  in  that  country,  the  policy  and  views 
of  this  Society,  to  collect  such  information  as  may  be 
valuable,  to  cement  a  friendly  understanding  and  co-opera- 
tion, and  to  lay  the  foundations  of  an  effective  and  har- 
monious action  in  the  promotion  of  the  benevolent  ob- 
jects which  the  friends  of  Africa  on  both  sides  of  the 
Atlantic,  have  at  heart ; '  and  while  the  Committee  had 
transmitted  certain  instructions  under  the  dates  of  June 
29th  and  July  27th,  indicating  no  consciousness  of  want 
of  authority,  they  should  suddenly  deem  themselves 
unauthorized  to  consider  propositions  not  designed  to 
'  enlarge  or  contract  the  simple  object '  for  which  I  was 
commissioned,  but  to  carry  out  the  very  general  object 
set  forth  in  the  resolution  just  quoted,  of  the  Directors. 
'    5* 


54  MISSION. 

It  is  remarkable,  also,  that  on  the  27th  of  July,  just  as  I 
arrived  in  London,  the  Committee  felt  authorized  to  give 
instructions  relating  to  my  movements  after  the  com- 
pletion of  my  mission ;  thus  implying  a  fixed  limit  to 
what  had  been  left  undetermined  ;  but  that  on  the  22d  of 
September,  they  felt  7tnaulhorized  to  do  more  than  leave 
me,  (in  case  I  should  transcend  the  term  which  they 
imagined  limited,)  to  act  on  my  own  responsibility  to  the 
Directors,  both  for  approval  and  compensation. 

In  the  letter  enclosing  this  resolution,  it  is  remarked  : 
"  Several  of  those  propositions  were  deemed  very  inex- 
pedient; our  construction  of  our  constitution  inhibited 
any  action  on  others,  and,  indeed,  so  far  as  regarded  your 
mission  to  England,  we  view  it  as  an  act  of  the  Direc- 
tors, which  we  have  neither  a  right  nor  the  power  to 
interfere  with." 

The  following  resolution  of  the  Directors,  bearing  date 
Dec.  13,  1838,  exhibits  the  powers  conferred  upon  this 
Committee  immediately  after  its  formation  : 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Executive  Committee  be  charged 
with  the  business  of  appointing  agents,  and  fixing  their 
salaries,  throughout  the  United  States ;  of  superintending 
such  expeditions  as  may  be  directed  by  the  Board  for  the 
colony ;  and  carrying  into  effect  the  resolutions  thereof, 
and  such  other  business  as  shall  be  necessary  for  the 
conducting  the  affairs  of  the  Society  in  the  absence  of 
the  Board  from  the  city  of  Washington." 

To  the  writer,  it  appears  evident  that  the  express  lan- 
guage of  the  resolution  of  the  Directors  in  my  appoint- 
ment, directing  me  to  proceed  "  under  instructions  from 
the  Executive  Committee,"  and  also  the  charge  originally 
given  to  the  Committee  '  to  carry  into  eflect  the  resolu- 
tions' of  the  Directors,  not  only  authorized  but  bound  the 


ERRORS    OF    COMMITTEE.  55 

Committee  to  extend  to  him  their  best  counsels  and  all 
possible  aid  in  accomplishing  the  objects  of  his  mission. 

The  public  will  judge  whether  the  suggestions  upon 
which  I  sought  instructions  in  my  letter  of  August  20, 
involved  any  plans  or  measures  which  would  be  deemed 
inhibited  by  a  fair  construction  of  the  constitution  of  the 
Society.  Several  of  the  propositions  indicated  must  be 
I'egarded,  if  not  indispensable,  highly  important  towards 
eflecting  the  purpose  enjoined  by  the  Directors,  viz  :  "  to 
cement  a  friendly  understanding  and  co-operation,  and  to 
lay  the  foundation  of  an  effective  and  harmonious  action 
in  the  promotion  of  the  benevolent  objects  which  the 
friends  of  Africa  on  both  sides  of  the  Atlantic  have  at 
heart."  If  the  commission  held  by  the  writer  under  the 
authority  of  the  Directors  was  conferred  in  violation  of 
the  constitution,  certain  legitimate  means  of  effecting  its 
ends  must  be  regarded  as  at  variance  with  that  instrument ; 
but  if  the  former  Avas  not  opposed  to  it,  neither  were  the 
latter.  The  Committee  are  not  authorized,  that  I  am 
aware,  to  give  the  interpretation  of  unconstitutionality  to 
the  acts  and  decisions  of  the  Directors. 

"  Fourth.  The  Committee  having  left  me  no  alternative 
but  either  to  return,  before  I  had  even  opportunity  to 
confer  with  the  General  Committee  of  the  Civilization 
Society,  or  to  remain  in  London  on  my  own  responsi- 
bility, I  determined  to  stay,  and  transmitted  to  them  my 
reasons,  with  a  request  that  those,  with  my  former  com- 
munications, might  be  submitted  at  the  ^earliest  meeting, 
to  the  Directors.  Is  it  not  somewhat  marvelous,  that 
the  Committee  failed  to  invite  immediately  to  my  letters 
and  suggestions  the  attention  of  the  Directors  ;  especially 
as  at  the  date  of  the  last,  a  month  was  to  elapse  before 
the  expiration  of  what  the  Committee  erroneously  sup- 


56  MISSION. 

posed  the  prescribed  term  of  tlie  mission  ;  unless  the 
imagined  term  of  four  months  commenced  Mhen  I  em- 
barked, instead  of  at  the  time  of  my  arrival  in  London, 
which  few  will,  I  think,  conclude  to  have  been  the  case. 
Such  an  idea  certainly  never  entered  my  ovvn  mind. 

If  this  Committee  recognized  no  right  nor  authority  in 
their  general  instructions  to  carry  into  efiect  the  resolu- 
tions of  the  Directors,  nor  in  the  specific  directions  to 
that  purpose,  expressed  in  the  resolutions  of  the  writer's 
appointment ;  if  they  felt  restrained  from  deciding  on  the 
propriety  of  his  stay  or  return  ;  if  they  left  the  responsi- 
bility of  the  continuance  and  proceedings  of  the  mission 
with  himself,  subject  for  approval  and  compensation  to 
the  judgment  of  the  Directors,  it  would  seem  but  reason- 
able that  the  whole  subject,  (especially  as  in  these  pecu- 
liar circumstances  he  had  been  impelled  by  regard  to  the 
cause,  to  assume  such  responsibility  until  he  could  learn 
the  views  of  the  Directors,)  should  have  been  brought  to 
their  consideration  without  delay. 

It  should  be  observed,  that  the  Committee  scrupled  not 
to  withhold  what  was  due  on  my  salary  as  Secretary^ 
after  the  11th  of  October,  (the  annual  amount  having 
been  fixed  by  the  Board  of  Directors ;)  that  their  Chair- 
man felt  authorised  to  be  present,  and  exert  his  influence 
against  any  further  appropriation  in  behalf  of  the  mis- 
sion, when  the  resolution  of  the  New  York  Board, 
hosed  upon  that  previously  adopted  by  the  Committee  at 
Washington^  was  under  discussion ;  that  they  thus  cut 
oft'  important  resources  from  my  family  at  home,  and 
every  chance  of  support  from  the  United  States  for 
myself  abroad  ;  and,  finally,  that  tliey  felt  authorized,  in 
the  numbers  of  the  African  Repository — the  organ  of 
their   sentiments — first   issued    after   ray   departure,   to 


LETTER  FftOM  A  DIRECTOR.  57 

insert  articles  as  well  adapted  to  conciliate  public  favor 
in  England,  "  to  cement  a  friendly  understanding  and 
co-operation,  and  to  lay  the  foundation  of  an  effective 
and  harmonious  action  in  the  promotion  of  the  benevo- 
lent objects  which  the  friends  of  Africa,  on  both  sides  of 
the  Atlantic,  have  at  heart,"  as  are  the  pamphlets  of  the 
Abolitionists,  to  win  over  the  reason  and  affections  of 
the  people  of  our  Southern  States.  My  only  consola- 
tion was,  that  scarce  a  copy  of  the  work  found  its  way 
to  England.* 

My  circumstances  in  England,  and  the  peculiar  state  of 
the  public  mind,  rendered  it  expedient  to  resort,  as  far  as 

*  Under  date  of  September  29,  a  respected  member  of  the 
Board  of  Directors  wrote  that  he  had  seen  "  the  meagre  and 
indefinite  instructions  of  the  Committee  at  Washington,  which 
will  be  forwarded  you  ;"  and  added,  "  they  seem  disposed  to  throw 
all  responsibility  on  yourself,  except  to  prohibit  your  doing  any 
thing."  Again  he  observes  :  "  The  reasons  on  which  opposition 
is  felt  strongly  to  your  remaining,  are:  1st.  They  seem  to  have 
no  confidence  in  your  success  there,  nor,  indeed,  in  your  negotia- 
tions either,  for  they  apprehend  mischief  if  you  do  any  thing. 
At  Washington,  and  here,  I  am  sony  to  say,  this  is  the  feeling,  as 
you  may  infer  from  their  action  and  correspondence. 

"  But,  2d.  The  impression  has  been  fixed  that,  even  admitting 

your  disclaimance  of  any  participation  in  Mr. 's*  scheme, 

which  I  regard  as  conclusive  exoneration  of  yourself,  and  proof 
that  the  letter  from  us  was  uncalled  for  and  unworthy  of  us,  still 
it  is  alleged  that  you  are  seeking  for  yourself  an  appointment 
under  Mr.  Buxton ;  and  it  is  assumed,  which  I  cannot  believe 
without  evidence,  that  after  a  life  devoted  to  our  service,  you  are 
about  to  identify  yourself  with  the  British  interest,  and  sacrifice 
us  and  our  noble  enterprise  in  America!  ! !" 

*  The  gentleman  here  alluded  to,  needs  no  vindication  from  the 
writer,  or  from  any  one.  His  exertions  in  the  cause  of  humanity 
have  been  great,  and  he  entertains  no  views  unworthy  of  his  high 
character  and  reputation. 


58  MISSION. 

practicable,  to  the  press,  as  the  means  of  correcting  error 
and  propagating  truth  on  the  subject  of  the  American 
Colonization  Society;  and  I  take  the  liberty  of  intro- 
ducing, as  a  part  of  this  statement,  a  correspondence 
with  Sir  Thomas  Fowell  Buxton,  which  appeared  in  the 
IMorning  Post  of  December  26,  1840.  To  the  liberality 
of  the  conductors  of  that  journal  I  am  under  very  special 
obligations. 

CORRESPONDENCE 

BETWEEN  SIR  THOMAS  F.  BUXTON,  BART.,  AND  MR.  GURLEY, 
THE  REPRESENTATIVE  OF  THE  AMERICAN  COLONIZATION 
SOCIETV. 

(No.  1.) 

London,  September  3,  1840. 

Sir:  Since  I  had  the  honor  of  a  personal  interview, 
and  submitted  to  your  consideration  the  objects  of  my 
mission,  as  a  representative  of  the  American  Coloniza- 
tion Society,  to  the  friends  of  African  civilization,  and  of 
the  African  race,  in  Great  Britain,  (among  whom  you, 
.sir,  are  eminently  distinguished,)  I  have  become  more 
deeply,  if  possible,  than  ever  impressed  with  the  impor- 
tance of  a  union  (in  sentiment  at  least)  of  the  English  and 
American  mind,  for  the  accomplishment  of  the  vast  and 
truly  philanthropic  scheme  so  ably  developed  in  your 
recent  Avork  on  the  slave  trade,  and  its  remedy. 

My  great  respect  for  your  understanding,  and  perfect 
confidence  in  your  candor  and  benevolence,  are  all  the 
apology  I  need  offer  for  asking  you,  very  respectfully,  to 
consider  how  numerous  and  poAverful  must  be  the 
advantages  which  will  be  secured  to  the  African  Civiliza- 
tion Society,  in  this  country,  should  its  course  be  such 


CORRESPOiVDENCn  WITH  BUXTOiV.  59 

as  to  command  the  regard  and  confidence  of  the  gi-eat 
majority  of  the  Americans,  and  especially  of  the  wise 
and  good  men  in  the  Southern  States,  upon  whom  mainly 
depends  the  improvement  of  the  people  of  color  in  those 
States,  and  who  possess  such  ample  means  of  co-opera- 
tion, througli  the  agency  of  these  people,  for  the  moral 
and  intellectual  renovation  of  Africa. 

You  may,  sir,  I  think,  rest  assured  that  in  the  opinions 
of  the  best  men  in  all  the  Southern  (or  slave-holding) 
States  of  the  American  Union,  in  the  undivided  judgment 
of  the  south,  so  far  as  that  judgment  inclines  to  the  ele- 
vation and  freedom  of  the  colored  race,  and  in  the  gene- 
ral opinion  of  the  north,  the  plan  and  policy  of  the 
American  Colonization  Society  are  deemed,  for  the  pre- 
sent, as  the  chief  plan  and  policy,  most  benevolent 
towards  the  colored  race,  tending  to  more  good  in  all 
directions  than  any  other  for  the  same  end  which  have 
arisen  in  the  United  States  ; 

That  all  those  in  the  south  who  desire  the  ultimate 
iVeedom  of  the  slaves,  are  the  friends  of  the  American 
Colonization  Society,  and  those  who  desire  to  perpetuate 
slavery  are  its  opponents ;  ^ 

That  the  principal  hope  cherished  in  America  of  the 
abolition  of  African  slavery  in  the  United  States  arises 
from  the  opening  prospects  of  civilization  in  Africa,  and 
the  establishment  on  her  shore  of  communities  or  states 
of  colored  emigrants,  free,  self-governed,  (or  training  to 
become  such,)  and  Christian  ; 

That  as  the  prospect  of  an  inviting  home  in  Africa  for 
the  colored  population  of  the  United  States  appears  more 
or  less  encouraging,  the  spirit  of  emancipation  rises  or 
declines ; 

That  whatever  may  be  the  effect  of  time,  of  reason,  of 


60  MISSIOX. 

reflection,  of  the  noble  experiment  of  West  India  eman- 
cipation on  the  governing  mind  of  the  Southern  States, 
any  interference  at  present  of  societies  exclusively 
northern  or  foreign  in  their  organization,  in  the  spirit 
of  reproach  or  denunciation,  to  abolish  slavery,  but 
exasperates,  and  tends  to  array  in  hostility  the  northern 
and  southern  sections  of  our  Union  against  each  other, 
and  to  destroy  all  bonds  of  confidence  and  sympatliy 
between  the  master  and  the  slave ; 

That  the  vast  scheme  for  Africa  which  you  propose  is 
approved  by  the  American  Colonization  Society,  is 
deemed  very  similar  to  their  own,  and,  if  wisely  and 
vigorously  prosecuted,  must  secure  the  freedom  and  hap- 
piness of  the  negro  race  in  Africa,  and,  by  means  the 
most  unexceptionable,  I  trust  also  throughout  the  world  ; 

That  there  exist  in  the  United  States,  some  means  for 
the  advancement  of  this  scheme  to  be  found  nowhere 
else  ;  and  should  bonds  of  sympathy  be  created  between 
the  citizens  of  that  country  and  the  Society  of  which 
you,  sir,  may  be  regarded  as  the  founder,  a  great  gain 
would  (at  least  so  it  appears  to  me,)  be  secured  to  the 
cause  of  humanity.  At  all  events,  may  we  not  hope  that 
in  Africa,  as  we  have  a  common  object,  there  may  be 
mutual  kindness  and  co-operation  ? 

This  can  require  no  abandonment  of  principle  on 
either  side.  You  have  well  said,  "The  field  there  is 
wide  enough  for  the  exertions  of  all,  without  jealousy 
or  collision." 

All  the  experience  of  the  Colonization  Society  will  be 
cheerfully  placed  at  your  disposal. 

Before  I  have  the  honor  of  an  introduction  to  your 
general  Committee,  I  wish  to  be  favored,  if  agreeable, 
with  another  personal  interview  with  yourself.     There 


CORRESPONDENCE  WITH  BUXTON.  61 

are  many  points  relating  to  the  state  of  public  sentiment 
in  America,  on  the  subject  of  slavery  and  the  influence 
of  the  Colonization  Society,  which  I  should  be  happy  in 
conversation  to  have  the  honor  to  explain,  and  the  more 
so  as  I  am  informed  that  much  excitement  has  been  pro- 
duced in  my  own  country  by  the  proceedings  of  the 
recent  Anti-slavery  Convention  in  this  city.  It  will 
afford  me  great  pleasure  if  I  can  in  any  way,  while  in 
England,  promote  the  interests  of  the  African  Civiliza- 
tion Society.  I  think  the  objections  urged  from  various 
quarters  against  it  have  little  force.  It  is  a  great  and 
noble  scheme  you  have  proposed  for  the  deliverance  and 
iiappiness  of  millions.  May  your  invaluable  life  be  long 
spared  to  promote  it.  i 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir. 

Most  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 
R.  R.  GURLEY. 
Sir  T.  F.  Buxton,  Bart. 

(No.  2.) 

from  sir  THOMAS  FOWELL  BUXTON,  BART.,  TO  THE 
REV.  R.  R.  GURLEY,  SECRETARY  TO  THE  AMERICAN 
COLONIZATION    SOCIETY. 

Sir  :  It  is  with  real  reluctance  that  I  address  you  upon 
the  subject  of  those  plans  for  the  African  race  which 
you  so  ably  and  (I  doubt  not  from  a  conviction  of  their 
excellence,)  so  zealously  advocate,  but  on  which  I  find 
myself  compelled  to  differ  from  you.  Some  observations 
which  have  appeared  in  certain  late  American  publica- 
tions, as  well  as  your  letter  of  the  5th  of  September, 
seem  to  leave  me  no  plea  for  silence,  since  it  would  be 
unfaithful  to  my  views  of  truth,  and  unfair  to  you,  were 
6 


62  Missiox. 

I  to  withhold  a  renewed  expression  of  my  sentiments 
with  regard  to  the  American  Colonization  Society. 

Before  I  enter  upon  it,  however,  let  me  tliank  yon  for 
the  very  friendly  mention  (far  too  flattering,  indeed,) 
which  you  have  made  of  me  personally ;  and  let  me 
again  assure  you  that  the  difference  of  our  opinions  can- 
not alter  my  estimate  of  the  sincerity  of  your  desires  for 
the  good  of  Africa. 

My  opinion  of  the  tendency  of  the  American  Coloni- 
zation Society  was,  as  you  are  aware,  publicly  given 
some  years  ago.  My  attention  at  that  time  was  wholly 
directed  to  the  question  of  existing  negro  slavery.  The 
principles  of  emancipation  were  then  progressing  in  our 
land,  they  were  dawning  in  yours,  and,  believing  the 
Colonization  Society  to  be  practically,  if  not  theoreti- 
cally, an  impediment  to  them,  I  joined  with  some  of  the 
most  tried  and  experienced  English  Abolitionists  in 
expressing  my  dissent.  Since  then  the  question  of 
negro  slavery  having  been,  in  our  case,  happily  disposed 
of,  my  attention  has  been  specially  directed  to  the  slave 
trade.  A  more  close  and  accurate  study  has  altered,  or 
perhaps  I  should  say  enlarged,  my  opinions  upon  it,  and 
upon  the  methods  to  be  employed  for  its  eradication.  I 
can  no  longer  believe  in  the  efficacy  of  external  force — 
I  can  no  longer  rest  contented  to  abide  the  slow  progres- 
sion of  the  principles  of  justice  throughout  the_world. 
Persuaded,  as  I  am,  that  the  slave  trade  is  as  great  a  loss 
of  wealth  to  the  African,  as  it  is  a  present  gain  to  the 
European,  I  now  tliink  that  the  opening  of  the  eyes  of 
the  fonner  to  the  true  economies  of  the  case,  offers  a 
powerful  means  of  abolishing  the  traffic ;  and,  while  J 
M'ould  most  joyfully  aid  in  any  method  of  checking  the 
demand,  and  would  also  for  a  time  continue  our  mea- 


CORRKSPONDENCE   WITH   BUXTO.V.  63 

sures  of  compulsion,  I  would  lay  by  far  the  greatest 
stress  on  all  those  efibrts  which  may  tend  to  enlighten 
and  civilize  the  African  mind. 

These  views  have  been  represented  as  coming  round 
to,  and  uniting  with,  those  of  the  American  Colonization 
Society,  and  a  misapprehension,  I  perceive,  exists  in  the 
minds  of  some  of  your  countrymen  with  regard  to  our 
Civilization  Society,  even  in  denominating  it  a  Coloniza- 
tion Society.  This  is  a  serious  mistake.  It  is  in  spirit, 
as  in  name,  a  Society,  not  for  the  colonization,  but  for 
the  civilization  of  Africa.  Our  object  is  to  civilize,  not 
to  colonize ;  not  to  make  ourselves  masters  of  the 
resources  of  that  continent,  but  to  teach  its  natives  their 
use  and  value ;  not  to  procure  an  outlet  for  any  portion 
of  our  surplus  population,  but  to  show  to  Africa  the  folly 
as  well  as  the  crime  of  exporting  her  own  children.  It. 
is  true,  I  may  be  desirous  that  we  should  form  settle- 
ments, and  even  that  we  should  obtain  the  right  of  juris- 
diction in  certain  districts,  because  we  could  not  other- 
wise secure  a  fair  trial  or  full  scope  for  our  normal 
schools,  our  model  farms,  and  our  various  projects  to 
awaken  the  minds  of  the  natives,  to  prove  to  them  the 
importance  of  agriculture,  and  to  excite  the  spirit  of 
commerce.  But  beyond  the  attainment  of  this  object,  I 
have  no  ulterior  views ;  it  is  no  part  of  my  plan  to 
extend  the  British  empire,  or  to  encourage  emigration  to 
Africa,  excepting  so  far  as  may  be  requisite  for  the  bene- 
fit of  that  country. 

This  is  the  distinct  character  and  object  of  our  Soci- 
ety. Your  objects,  as  I  understand  them,  profess  to  be, 
primarily,  to  abolish  slavery  in  the  United  States,  by 
gradually  moving  your  whole  black  population  to  Afri- 


64  MISSION. 

ca  ;*  and,  secondly,  to  benetit  Africa,  and  check  the  slave 
trade,  by  establishing  colonies  of  emancipated  negroes 
along  her  coasts. 

Our  professed  objects,  therefore,  though  akin,  are  not 
the  same ;  the  field  of  your  operation  is  primarily  Ame- 
rica, that  of  ours  Africa.  But  you  will  say  that,  since 
your  Society  collaterally  aims  at  the  same  end  as  ours, 
we  ought  to  give  yours  that  support  of  name  and  influ- 
ence to  which  you  are  pleased  to  attach  some  impor- 
tance. We  cannot  do  this ;  and  I  will  in  a  candid  and 
friendly  spirit  state  to  you  the  reasons.  But  I  must  pre- 
mise that  I  am  not  prepared  to  say  that  Liberia,  consti- 
tuted as  it  is,  may  not  have  been  the  means  of  spreading 
civilization,  and  thereby  diminishing  the  slave  trade,  in 
Africa ;  and,  so  far  as  the  colony  has  this  effect,  it  has 
my  good  wishes  that  it  may  continue  to  prosper.  But 
even  as  regards  Africa,  there  is  a  wide  difference  in  our 
views.  We  wish  to  send  to  Africa  but  few  persons,  and 
these  in  the  cliaracter  of  teachers.  We  wish  them  to  be 
diffused  as  a  leaven  amongst  her  people,  not  to  form 
colonies  for  their  own  advantage.  It  is  my  anxious  wish 
to  send  to  Africa  none  but  those  who  are  actuated  by  an 
ardent  desire  for  her  improvement,  and  on  whose  moral 
and  religious  principles  we  can  rely. 

The  purpose  of  your  association  is  to  collect  colored 
people  for  emigration  to  Africa,  without,  if  I  mistake  not, 
insisting  on  any  very  special   regard   to  character   or 

*  The  second  article  of  the  Society's  constitution  declares,  that 
"  The  object  to  which  attention  is  to  be  exclusively  directed  is,  to 
promote  and  execute  a  plan  for  colonizing  (with  their  own  con- 
sent,) the  free  people  of  color  residing  in  our  country,  in  Africa, 
or  such  other  place  as  Congress  shall  deem  most  expedient." 


CORRESPO.VDENCE  WITH  BUXTOX.         65 

ability.  ^Vhen,  however,  we  come  to  the  American  part 
of  the  question,  I  fear  we  shall  be  found  to  differ  much 
more  widely.  There  is  nothing  in  your  institution, 
abstractedly  considered,  to  which  I  can  object.  If  the 
free  colored  people  desire  to  emigrate  from  their  native 
soil,  and  to  settle  elsewhere,  I  can  see  no  reason  why 
you  should  not  form  a  society  to  aid  them  in  so  doing ; 
and  further,  if  they  be  ignorant  of  the  benefit  of  such 
emigration,  I  can  see  no  objection  to  your  enlightening 
them  as  to  its  advantages.  If  confined  to  such  aid  and 
persuasion,  your  Society  Avould  at  least  be  harmless,  and 
probably  beneficial.  My  objection,  then,  lies  not  so 
much  against  the  principles  of  the  Colonization  Society, 
as  set  forth  by  the  letter  of  its  constitution,  as  against 
those  which  I  find  promulgated  in  the  speeches  and 
writings  of  its  advocates,  and  against  what  1  believe  to 
be  the  practical  tendency  of  the  institution  itself.  I 
hardly  need  tell  you  that  I  am,  in  the  fullest  sense  of  the 
term,  an  "  immediate  Abolitionist,"  that  I  conscientiously 
believe  that  man  can  have  no  right  to  property  in  man, 
and  that  the  restoration  to  freedom  can  in  every  country 
be  effected  without  permanent  injury  to  either  party,  and 
greatly  to  the  eventual  benefit  of  both  master  and  slave. 
With  this  confession  of  my  faith  on  this  subject,  how 
can  I  be  expected  to  unite  with  a  society  which,  by  the 
mouth  of  its  best  advocates,  and  in  almost  all  its  public 
declarations,  if  it  does  not  justify,  yet  palliates  the 
iniquity  of  slavery  ?  which,  allowing  the  system  to  be 
an  evil,  soothes  the  conscience  of  the  slave-owner  by 
maintaining  it  to  be  a  necessary  evil,  obstructs  the  efforts 
of  the  Abolitionists  by  declaring  immediate  abolition  to 
be  impossible,  which  diverts  attention  from  the  great 
principles  of  truth  on  the  subject,  and,  by  holding  out  a 
6* 


66  Missio.v. 

hope  of  emancipation,  •which  too  obviously  will  take 
centuries  to  realise,  tends  practically  to  rivet  the  fetters 
of  the  slave  ?  Further,  I  am  of  opinion  that  the  strong 
line  of  demarcation  attempted  to  be  drawn  between 
white  and  black  is  unjust,  and  not  accordant  M'ith  the 
Apostle's  declaration  that  God  '"  hath  made  of  one  blood 
all  nations  of  men."  How  can  I,  then,  support  a  society 
which  acknowledges,  excuses,  and  fosters  this  spirit  of 
caste  ? 

Agam,  I  apprehend  that  your  society,  thougli  doubtless 
unintentionally  on  the  part  of  many  of  its  members,  has 
practically  proved  an  instrument  of  oppression  to  the  free 
blacks  in  your  land.  In  order  to  induce  them  to  emi- 
grate, various  methods,  more  or  less  coercive,  are  resorted 
to.  You  have  had  every  opportunity  of  displaying  to 
them  the  advantages  of  the  plan,  yet  throughout  the 
Union  they  refuse  to  embrace  it,  or  do  so  with  extreme 
reluctance ;  they  persist  in  regarding  Liberia  rather  as  a 
place  of  exile  than  a  desired  home,  and  prefer  their  claim 
to  live  as  free  citizens  in  America.  But  I  have  still 
another  objection.  Were  the  free  people  of  color  even 
indifferent,  and  as  Avilling  to  go  as  to  stay,  I  question 
whether,  regardmg  the  interest  of  the  slave,  it  is  a  justifi- 
able measure  to  remove  them.  Those  who  have  escaped 
from  bondage  ought  to  be  the  natural  protectors  of  those 
of  their  color  Avho  still  remain  in  slavery,  and,  I  thmk,  it 
is  hard  to  press  a  plan  to  withdraw  from  those  who  have 
so  few  friends,  their  natural  allies  and  ablest  champions. 
The  arguments  employed  for  your  scheme  are,  in  them- 
selves, I  must  own,  repulsive  to  me.  Your  language  is, 
"  Be  abolition  a  duty  or  not,  the  slave  States  will  not 
abolisli  slavery — cease,  then,  your  struggle  for  the  slave ; 
employ  j-our  benevolence  for  the  tree.   Whether  the  feel- 


CORRESPONDENCE  WITH  BUXTON.  67 

iiig  against  the  colored  man  be  a  prejudice  or  not,  it  is 
insurmountable.  Assist,  therefore,  to  remove  him  to 
another  country." 

I  grant  that  slavery  and  prejudice  are  now  triumpjiant; 
but  I  deny  that  they  will  always  remain  so.  It  is  my  con- 
viction that  "  truth,  by  its  own  sinews,  Avill  prevail,"  and 
that  its  being  borne  down  for  the  present  is  no  argument 
why  the  efforts  of  its  champions  should  be  relaxed ;  but, 
on  the  contrary,  the  strongest  argument  Avliy  they  should 
be  redoubled.  I  cannot  take  lower  ground  than  this,  and 
therefore  it  is  that  I  cannot  join  in  the  Colonization  So- 
ciety, Still,  in  making  this  declaration,  I  desire  to  ab- 
stain from  any  harsh,  or  even  uncourteous  expressions 
towards  an  institution  which,  though,  as  I  think,  adopt- 
ing a  mistaken  line,  avows  its  aim  to  be  tlie  alleviation 
of  human  suffering. 

I  can  also  feel  for  the  slave-owner,  and  make  allowance 
for  the  toils  cast  around  him  by  habit,  education,  and 
circumstances ;  but  I  must  reiterate  my  firm  opinion  that, 
for  nations  as  for  individuals,  the  path  of  justice  is  the 
path  of  policy.  I  am  persuaded,  therefore,  that  the  line  of 
expediency  adopted  by  the  Colonization  Society,  though 
it  may  not  appear  to  be  the  easiest,  will  not  in  the  end  be 
found  either  so  safe  or  so  short  a  way  out  of  the  difficul- 
ties of  the  case  as  the  direct  road  of  strict  equity. 

And  here,  sir,  allow  me  to  express  my  hope  that,  since 
you  possess  unusual  opportunities  of  conveying  informa- 
tion to  your  fellow-countrymen,  having  the  ear  of  the 
south  as  well  as  of  the  north,  you  may  be  disposed  to 
acquaint  yourself  very  accurately  with  the  results  of  our 
experiment  of  emancipation  for  their  benefit.  You  are,  I 
am  persuaded,  no  advocate  for  the  vested  right  of  man  in 
the  blood  and  sinews  of  his  fellow  man.     You  have  re- 


68  Missiox. 

peatedly  acknowledged  that  you  are  adverse  to  immediate 
abolition,  only  because  you  fear  it  would  be  a  source  of 
anarchy,  and  would  entail  misery  on  the  negro  himself, 
not  because  it  might,  for  a  time,  involve  a  pecuniary  loss 
to  the  master.  Let  me,  then,  entreat  you  to  look  at  the 
actual  condition  of  our  West-India  Islands.  There  you 
will  find  the  utmost  social  order  and  political  tran- 
quillity, and  a  peasantry  as  peaceable,  and  probably  as 
moral,  as  any  in  tlie  world.  When  you  shall  have  con- 
vinced yourself  of  these  facts,  I  do  you  the  justice  to  be- 
lieve no  arguments  of  mine  will  be  needed  to  induce  you 
to  employ  your  talents  and  influence  in  bringing  them 
home  to  the  minds  of  your  countrymen. 

Before  I  conclude,  let  me  express  my  cordial  concur- 
rence in  the  hope  "that  in  Africa,"  as  we  have  similar, 
though  not  identical,  objects,  "there  will  be  mutual  kind- 
ness and  co-operation ;"  and  let  me  assure  you  that  I  do 
not,  by  any  means,  underrate  the  aid  of  the  American 
public.  I  still  look  for  the  assistance  of  all  foes  to  the 
slave-trade,  however  we  may  difl'er  in  our  views  on  any 
other  points.  Accept  my  thanks  for  the  liberal  manner 
in  which  you  have  imparted  the  results  of  your  experi- 
ence in  Africa,  and  believe  me,  with  sincere  respect, 
Yours  faithfully, 
(Signed)  T.  FOWELL  BUXTON. 

NoRTHREPS  Hall,  near  Aylsham, 
October  9,  1S40. 

(No.  3.) 

London,  JVov.  7,  1840. 
Sir  :  Having  been  absent  for  several  weeks  from  Lon- 
don, I  have  had  the  honor  but  recently  of  receiving  your 
letter  of  the  9th   of  last  month.     The  spirit  of  candor 


CORRESPOXDEIVCE    WITH    BUXTOX.  69 

and  liberality  which  pervades  this  commucication,  is 
worthy  of  your  high  character,  and  will  be  justly  appre- 
ciated by  the  members  and  friends  of  the  American  Colo- 
nization Society. 

It  is  hardly  necessary  for  me  to  repeat  that  I  approve 
of  the  scheme  of  the  African  Civilization  Society,  as 
developed  in  your  recent  able  work,  and  deem  it  in  its 
main  features,  so  far  as  it  relates  to  Africa,  the  same,  or 
nearly  so,  with  tliat  of  the  American  Colonization  Soci- 
ety. It  is  true  you  draw  some  distinctions  between  these 
institutions  in  reference  to  their  designs  and  operations 
in  Africa.  These  distinctions  may,  if  I  correctly  appre- 
hend your  language,  be  reduced  to  two — first,  that  the 
Civilization  Society  proposes  no  settlements  as  a  home 
or  asylum  for  a  surplus  population,  but  such  only  as  may 
be  required  for  the  benefit  of  Africa ;  and,  second,  that 
it  is  her  anxious  desire  to  send  out  such  only  as  are 
actuated  by  an  ardent  purpose  for  her  improvement,  while 
the  Colonization  Society  would  found  settlements  that 
may  prove  inviting  asylums  to  the  colored  population 
of  the  United  States ;  and  in  the  next  place,  that  this  So- 
ciety insists  on  no  very  special  regard  to  the  character 
and  ability  of  its  emigrants.  In  respect  to  Africa,  you 
admit  their  objects  are  nearly,  if  not  entirely,  the  same — 
the  suppression  of  the  slave  trade,  and  her  civilization. 
In  the  chosen  agents  for  effecting  these  objects,  free  men 
of  color,  they  agree.  In  the  establishment  of  schools, 
and  model  farms,  and  legitimate  commerce  with  the  native 
tribes,  and  negotiations  and  treaties  for  the  abolition  of 
the  trafiic  in  slaves,  they  agree ;  and  I  am  happy  to  know 
that  "  you  may  be  desirous  that  we  (the  Civilization  So- 
ciety) should  form  settlements,  and  even  obtaui  the  right 
and  jurisdiction  in  certain  districts,  because  we  could  not 


70  MISSION. 

otherwise  secure  a  fair  trial  or  full  scope  for  our  normal 
schools,  our  model  farms,  aud  our  various  projects  to 
awaken  the  minds  of  the  natives,  to  prove  to  them  the 
importance  of  agriculture,  and  to  excite  tlie  spirit  of  com- 
merce." 

Several  distinguished  friends  of  the  African  Civiliza- 
tion Society  have  recently  given  their  thoughts  upon  it 
to  the  public.  Of  course  neither  you,  sir,  nor  the  soci- 
ety over  which  you  with  such  ability  preside,  are  to  be 
held  responsible  for  their  sentiments.  Yet  it  is  Avorthy 
of  observation,  that  both  Mr.  Jeremie  and  Sir  G.  Stephen 
regarded  the  plan  of  your  society  as  one  of  colonization. 
It  is  true,  Mr.  Jeremie  condemns  the  American  Coloniza- 
tion Society ;  yet  the  Eclectic  Revieio,  after  quoting  the 
severe  but  unjust  remarks  of  this  gentleman  on  that  soci- 
ety, adds,  "  Now,  agreeing  as  we  do  in  all  that  is  here 
said,  we  think  Mr.  Jeremie  leaves  the  case  just  where 
Mr.  Gurley  has  put  it,  namely,  that,  in  so  far  as  they 
regard  Africa,  the  two  systems  (the  civilization  and  colo- 
nization) are  one,  so  much  so  that  they  would  be  wholly 
one  if  America  would  let  her  two  millions  go  free."  Sir 
George  Stephen  expresses  himself  boldly  and  strongly  on 
this  point — "  If  we  found  settlements  in  Africa,  coloni- 
zation must  follow  ;  wherever  the  British  flag  is  raised, 
tliousands  and  tens  of  thousands  will  seek  protection 
under  it ;  it  is  sheer  hypocrisy  to  pretend  that  this  is  not 
the  consequence  of  our  civilization  plan,  if  fairly  carried 
out;  and  therefore  I  do  most  deeply  regret  the  postpone- 
ment of  a  legislative,  or,  at  least,  an  official  declaration 
of  the  principles  on  which  the  civil  government  of  all 
British  possessions  in  Africa  will  hereafter  be  conducted." 

Whether  the  settlements  proposed  be  more  or  less 
extended,  I  must  be  permitted  to  express  my  entire  con- 


CORRESPONDENCE  WITH  BUXTON.         71 

viction  that  their  benefit  to  Africa  will  greatly  depend 
upon  their  organization  into  communities,  Avilh  laws  and 
government  founded  upon  their  choice  or  consent,  and 
mostly  administered  by  themselves,  and,  so  far  as  the 
establishment  of  such  communities  or  colonies  is  not 
contemplated  by  the  Civilization  Society,  I  must  regard 
its  scheme  as  defective.  Your  own  idea  of  forming  settle- 
ments, and  acquiring  jurisdiction  over  certain  districts  of 
country,  settlements  composed  principally  of  free  persons 
of  color,  permanent  it  is  to  be  presumed,  includes,  it  would 
seem  to  me,  the  main  elements  and  principles  developed 
in  the  colonization  of  Liberia,  unless  all  political  power 
is  to  be  withheld  from  these  settlements,  which  would  be 
very  detrimental  to  their  influence  and  prosperity.  Models 
of  good  political  and  social  institutions  are  of  infinite 
importance  to  Africa;  nor  could  you  if  you  would,  nor 
would  you  if  you  could,  limit  the  emigration  of  enter- 
prizing  colored  men  to  those  settlements,  allured  thither 
by  prospects  of  profitable  agriculture,  of  gainful  and  law- 
ful trade,  of  honorable  distinctions  or  of  extended  use- 
fulness. And  surely,  while  the  civilization  of  Africa 
affords  the  strongest  motive  to  your  society,  I  see  not 
why  a  due  measure  of  regard  should  not  be  extended  to 
those  who  devote  themselves  as  permanent  settlers  on 
her  soil,  and  from  whom,  as  from  small  and  Aveak  begin- 
nings, may  arise  the  power  and  grandeur  of  states  and 
empires. 

But  your  society  would  send  out  such  persons  only  as 
are  actuated  by  an  ardent  desire  for  the  improvement  of 
Africa,  and  the  Colonization  Society  shows  no  special 
regard  to  the  character  and  ability  of  its  emigrants.  To 
say  nothing  here  of  the  extreme  difficulty  of  planting 
settlements  with  sufficient  numbers  by  persons  animated 


72  MISSION. 

exclusively  by  the  high  motives  of  religion,  or  of  the 
question  whether  feeble  communities  of  this  character 
will  prove  of  the  same  benefit  to  Africa  as  larger  ones  of 
a  less  pure  and  unmixed  description,  you  may  rest  assur- 
ed that  the  Colonization  Society  has  not  been  regardless 
of  the  moral  character  of  its  emigrants  ;  that  the  decidedly 
incapable  and  vicious  are,  when  known  to  be  such,  ex- 
cluded from  its  aid ;  and  that  from  the  first,  the  Directors 
have  sought  to  impress  the  minds  of  those  about  to  em- 
bark for  Liberia,  with  the  greatness  of  their  responsibili- 
ties to  their  posterity,  their  race,  and  their  God,  and  to 
provide  the  best  means  for  their  intellectual  and  moral 
improvement,  and  for  the  education  of  their  children ;  to 
animate  them  with  the  spirit  of  industry,  enterprize,  so- 
briety, and  liberty ;  and,  in  fine,  to  make  them  realize 
that  to  no  people  has  Heaven  ever  entrusted  interests 
more  precious  than  to  them,  inasmuch  as  an  almost 
boundless  territory  and  millions  of  barbarians  may  by 
their  influence  be  reclaimed,  and  a  free  state  and  common- 
wealth of  Christians  tower  above  the  frowning  Avilderness 
and  more  horrible  superstitions  of  Africa.  And  what  is 
the  actual  condition,  what  the  moral  influence,  of  that 
colony  ?  And  here  it  may  be  pertinent  to  allude  to  the 
sentiments  cherished  by  the  citizens  of  Liberia  towards 
the  Ainerican  Colonization  Society.  On  the  29th  of  Sep- 
tember, 1836,  in  pursuance  of  public  notice,  the  citizens 
of  Monrovia  (the  principal  town  of  the  colony)  assem- 
bled to  express  their  opinions  of  the  scheme  of  coloni- 
zation. The  following,  among  other  resolutions,  were 
adopted : 

On  motion  of  Mr.  H.  Teage : — 

"  Resolved^  That  this  meeting  regard  the  Colonizing 
Institution  as  one  of  the  highest,  holiest,  and  most  bene- 


CORRESPONDENCE  WITH  BUXTOX.         73 

volent  enterprises  of  (he  present  day ;  that  as  a  plan  for 
tlie  amelioration  of  the  colored  race  it  takes  the  prece- 
dence of  all  that  have  been  presented  to  the  attention  of 
the  modern  world ;  that  in  its  operations  it  is  peaceful 
and  safe — in  its  tendencies  beneficial  and  advantageous  ; 
that  it  is  entitled  to  the  highest  veneration  and  unbound- 
ed confidence  of  every  man  of  color-,  and  that  what  it 
has  already  accomplished  demands  our  devout  thanks  to 
those  noble  and  disinterested  philanthropists  that  com- 
pose it,  as  being,  under  God,  the  greatest  earthly  bene- 
factors of  a  despised  and  depressed  portion  of  the  human 
family." 

"  Whereas  it  has  been  widely  and  maliciously  circu- 
lated in  the  United  States  of  America  that  the  inhabitants 
of  this  colony  are  unhappy  in  their  situation,  and  anxious 
to  return  :" 

On  motion  of  the  Rev.  B.  R.  Wilson : 

"  Resolved^  That  this  report  is  false  and  malicious, 
and  originated  only  in  a  desire  to  injure  the  colony,  by 
calling  off  the  support  and  sympathy  of  its  friends  ;  that, 
so  far  from  a  desire  to  return,  we  would  regard  such  aii 
event  as  the  greatest  calamity  tliat  could  befall  us." 

On  motion  of  the  Rev.  Amos  Herring : 

"  Resolved,  That  this  meeting  entertains  the  deepest 
gratitude  to  the  members  of  the  Colonization  Society  for 
the  organization  and  continuance  of  an  enterprise  so 
noble  and  praiseworthy  as  that  of  restoring  to  the  bless- 
ings of  liberty  hundreds  and  thousands  of  the  sore- 
oppressed  and  long-neglected  sons  of  Africa ;  that  we 
believe  it  the  only  institution  that  can,  under  existing 
circumstances,  succeed  in  elevating  the  colored  popula- 
tion ;  and  that  advancement  in  agriculture,  mechanism, 
7 


74  MISSION. 

and  science  will  enable  us  speedily  to  aspire  to  a  rank 
with  the  other  nations  of  tlie  earth." 

That  the  emigrants  have  been  judiciously  selected,  or, 
if  not,  have  been  placed  in  circumstances  to  acquire  the 
dispositions  and  abilities  for  the  successful  discharge  of 
their  duties,  must  be  clear,  if  they  prosper  and  exert  an 
extensive  influence  for  the  suppression  of  the  slave  trade 
and  the  civilization  of  Africa.  As  a  body,  they  have 
indeed  been  cliosen  with  some  care,  and  their  new  cir- 
cumstances have  powerfully  contributed  to  improve  and 
elevate  their  character.  The  testimony  I  adduce  con- 
cerning both,  is  of  recent  date,  and  from  entirely  authen- 
tic sources.  The  present  Governor,  Mr.  Buchanan,  a 
gentleman  personally  known  to  me,  and  of  the  highest 
integrity,  in  a  letter,  dated  the  present  year,  to  that  emi- 
nent philanthropist.  Dr.  Thomas  Hodgkin,  observes,  "  It 
has  been  said,  both  in  America  and  England,  that  the 
colonists  were  not  unfavorable  to  the  slave  trade,  and,  in 
proof  of  it,  some  isolated  fact,  such  as  I  have  mentioned, 
is  adduced  as  conclusive.  The  mode  of  proof  is  as 
unfair  as  the  charge  is  false.  The  general  voice  of  the 
colony  has  ever  been  loud  against  the  slave  trade,  nor 
has  any  individual  directly  participated  in  it.  hideed,  I 
am  confident  that  the  penalty  of  the  law  against  it,  which 
is  death,  would  have  been  inflicted  on  any  one  who 
would  have  dared  to  violate  it,  even  during  the  period  I 
have  alluded  to."  Again,  "  No  fact  is  more  notorio\is 
along  the  coast  than  the  uncompromising  hostility  of  the 
colony  to  the  slave  trade.  There  is  one  aspect  of  the 
case  of  peculiar  interest  to  the  poor  native,  in  reference 
to  which,  if  his  testimony  cannot  be  heard,  his  conduct 
may  at  least  be  quoted.     The  colony  is  an  asylum  to  the 


CORRESPONDENCE    WITH    BUXTO.V.  75 

oppressed  and  enslaved  of  all  the  tribes  around  it.     Here 
lliey  flee  from   the  storms  of   war  and  the   horrors  of 
bondage,  in  the  full  confidence  of  protection  and  safety. 
The  whole  history  of  the  colony,  almost  from  the  first 
day  of  its  existence,  is  crowded  with  instances.     Some 
of  the  most  interesting  and  memorable  character  have 
occurred  during  my  residence  here.     At  one  time,  during 
the  month  of  July  last,  a  king,  with  several  hundreds  of 
his  people,  the  wretched  remnant  of  a  once  powerful 
tribe,  fled   to  us  for  protection  against  a  merciless  foe, 
who  had  ravaged  his  country  for  the  purpose  of  making 
a  whole  nation  slaves.     Numbers  were  killed  and  many 
more  captured,  and  the  fugitives  were  closely  pursued  to 
the  very  boundary  of  the  colony,  but  the  moment  they 
passed  it  they  were  safe  and  free.     The  enemy,  though 
flushed  with  victory,  and  thirsting  for  victims,  dared  not 
pursue  them  into  our  territory.     These  and  many  hun- 
dreds more  who  have  in  like  manner  escaped  from  the 
knife  and  the  chain,  are  now  living  on  the  lands  of  the 
colony  in  peace,  secure  from  all  their  foes."     Equally 
decided  is  the  testimony  of  Governor  Buchanan  to  the 
beneficial  influence  of  the  cojony  in  exciting  desires, 
among  the  native  population,  for  the  comforts  and  conve- 
niences   of    civilized   life,    in    arousing   their   industry, 
awakening  emulation,  and  by  exhibiting  the  order  and 
hamiony  of   Avell  organized  society,  the  mildness  and 
justice  of  good  government,  and  the  blessed  influences 
of  Christianity  on  the   social  and  political  relations  of 
life,  impressing  their  minds  with  the  value  and  dignity  of 
knowledge,  civilization,  and  our  holy   religion.     "  I  do 
not  mean  to  say,"  he  adds,  "  that  there  are  no  exceptions 
to  this  general  good  influence,  nor  that  the  natives  are  all 
at   once   raised   to   the   desired  standard;   far  from  it. 


76  MISSION. 

There  are  counteracting  causes  found  among  the  colo- 
nists, and  the  superstition  and  indolence,  the  ignorance 
and  degradation,  of  the  natives  are  immense  barriers  ta 
their  improvement.  But  this  1  can  say,  the  adverse 
influences  at  work  in  the  colony  are  weak  and  limited, 
while  the  good  are  many  and  powerful ;  and  as  to  the 
natives,  while  a  respectable  number  have  put  on  the  garb 
of  civilization,  and  are  making  rapid  advances  in  the 
knowledge  and  practice  of  true  godliness,  the  mass  are 
in  the  way  of  improvement.  They  generally  are  anxi- 
ous for  schools  and  religious  teachers,  and  are  making 
commendable  eflbrts  in  acquiring  the  arts  of  civilized 
life.  The  work  is  one  of  time,  but  it  is  begun,  and  Avill 
go  on  with  ever-increasing  rapidity  to  its  complete  and 
glorious  consummation." 

Capt.  Stoll,  of  the  Royal  navy,  who,  if  I  mistake  not, 
visited  the  colony  in  the  present  year,  in  his  letter  of  the 
17th  of  July,  to  Dr.  Hodgkin,  after  avowing  the  belief 
that  it  promises  to  be  the  only  successful  institution  of 
the  sort,  "  keeping  in  view  its  objects — that  of  raising 
the  emancipated  slave  into  a  free  man,  preparing  him  for 
the  exercise  of  civil  liberty  in  all  its  various  branches, 
from  the  Governor  to  the  laborer,  the  extinction  of  the 
slave  trade,  and  the  religious  and  moral  improvement  of 
Africa  at  large  " — testifies  to  the  contentment,  industry, 
and  generally  moral  and  religious  character  of  the  colo- 
nists, their  good  management  of  public  aflairs,  and  that 
'^  no  one  in  the  remotest  degree  connected  with  the  slave 
trade  is  allowed  ever  to  communicate  with  Liberia."  He 
.speaks  of  missionaries  as  being  in  a  course  of  prepara- 
tion for  their  work,  and  of  the  schools  as  creditable 
when  the  small  means  of  the  people  are  considered. 
"The  colonists,  with  few  exceptions,"  we   quote  his 


CORRESPONDENCE  WITH  BUXTON.         77 

words,  ^'  are  all  members  of  churches,  and  I  can  safely 
testify,  that  a  more  orderly,  sober  set  of  people  I  never 
met  witji.  I  did  not  hear  an  improper  or  a  profane 
expression  during  my  visit.  Spirits  are  excluded  in 
most,  if  not  all,  the  settlements.  They  have  formed 
themselves  into  various  societies,  such  as  agricultural, 
botanical,  mechanical,  for  promoting  Christian  knovi^- 
ledge ;  also  a  ladies'  society  for  clothing  the  poor,"  &tc. 
Finally,  he  concludes  with  this  remark — "  I  went  there 
unbiassed,  and  left  it  with  a  conviction  that  colonies  on 
the  principle  of  Liberia  ought  to  be  established  as  soon 
as  possible,  if  we  wish  to  serve  Africa."  But  allow 
me  to  add  a  few  facts,  gathered  from  the  recent  report 
of  the  New  York  Colonization  Society  and  from  late 
numbers  of  The  African  Repository.  Hundreds  of 
native  Africans,  some  recaptured  by  the  authorities  of 
the  United  States,  when  about  to  be  consigned  to  per- 
petual slavery,  and  placed  in  Liberia  by  the  humanity  of 
the  American  Government,  others  rescued  from  slave 
factories  by  the  colonists  themselves,  are  now  industri- 
ous citizens  on  its  soil,  capable  of  managing  their  own 
affairs,  and  enjoying  the  benefits  of  education  and  the 
light  of  Christianity.  More  than  thirty  kings  and  head- 
men have,  by  treaty  with  the  colonial  Government, 
renounced  the  slave  trade.  Several  tribes  have  placed 
themselves  under  the  protection  of  the  colony,  and  look 
for  redress  of  their  grievances  to  its  laws  and  tribunals , 
Some  of  the  chiefs,  who  have  abandoned  the  slave  trade, 
are  turning  increased  attention  to  the  cultivation  of  the 
soil :  new  seeds,  plants,  fruits,  and  agricultural  imple- 
ments have  been  introduced,  their  young  men  are  taught 
the  mechanic  arts,  and  the  whole  people  are  stimulated  by 
pov/erful  motives  of  example  and  interest  to  improvement. 
7* 


78  MISSION. 

And  must  not  reflection  on  these  statements — in  con- 
nection with  the  fact  that,  under  the  shield  and  through 
the  gates  of  this  colony,  introduction  has  been  given  to 
about  sixty  missionaries  (including  ordained  ministers  and 
teachers)  into  this  region  of  Africa,  where,  before  its  ori- 
gin, not  one  was  to  be  found  ;  that  several  seminaries  for 
education  in  letters  and  the  mechanical  arts  have  been 
founded,  native  languages  reduced  to  writing,  books  and 
tracts  in  those  languages  issued  from  the  press,  and  that 
at  a  single  station  are  fifty-nine  hopeful  African  converts 
to  the  faith  of  Christ — prompt  every  disciple  of  the  Savi- 
our to  acknowledge  that  a  good  Providence  has  guarded 
there  the  dawning  light  from  extinction,  and  made  Liberia, 
even  in  its  early  growth,  fruitful  in  blessings  ?  Sir,  many 
of  the  founders  of  this  colony,  in  faith,  hope,  charity,  and 
patience,  have  labored  and  died ;  but  they  have  left  a 
monument  to  their  praise,  on  that  shore,  indestructible. 
We  see  in  Liberia  a  well  modelled,  well-proportioned  re- 
public of  colored  men  ;  a  miniature  republic,  it  is  true,  but 
destined,  we  trust,  to  a  rapid  growth,  adorned  not  only  by 
the  abodes  of  civilized  men,  but  by  the  villages,  schools, 
churches,  legislative  halls,  judicial  tribunals,  all  the  social 
and  political  institutions  of  a  free  and  Christian  people, 
kindling  to  enthusiasm  by  the  spirit  of  liberty,  and  aspir- 
ing to  extend  far  over  Africa  llie  Avisdom  and  beneficence 
of  their  manners  and  lav\^s.  Under  their  protection  the  mis- 
sionaries of  many  communions  are  assembling  to  devise 
and  execute  plans  for  the  regeneration  of  Africa.  Super- 
stition retreats  before  them  ;  and  her  victims,  dejected, 
in  iron  bound,  and  shorn  of  honor,  come  forth  from  clay- 
built  huts,  from  forests,  dens,  and  mountain  caves,  to  hear 
those  Divine  words  of  mercy  which  shall  turn  them  from 
darkness  to  light,  and  from  the  power  of  Satan  unto  God. 


CORRESPOXDENCE    VVITII    BUXTOX.  79 

But  I  may  have  occupied  too  much  space  on  this  part 
of  the  subject.  You  seem  disposed  to  admit  that  Liberia 
has  been  the  means  of  spreading  civilization,  and  thereby 
diminishing  the  slave  trade,  and  to  cherish  wishes  for  its 
prosperity ;  yet,  in  regard  to  what  you  term  the  "  Ameri- 
can part  of  the  question,"  you  imagine,  sir,  a  wide,  if  not 
an  irreconcilable,  difierence  between  us.  I  am  happy  to 
observe,  that  to  the  Colonization  Society  in  itself,  or  as  its 
purpose  and  policy  are  developed  in  its  constitution,  you 
have  no  objection.  "  There  is  nothing,"  you  remark, 
'•  in  your  institution,  abstractedly  considered,  to  Avhich  I 
can  object.  If  the  free  coloi-ed  people  desire  to  emigrate 
from  their  native  soil,  and  to  settle  elsewhere,  I  can  see 
no  reason  why  you  should  not  form  a  society  to  aid  them 
in  so  doing ;  and,  further,  if  they  be  ignorant  of  the  benefit 
of  such  emigration,  I  can  see  no  objection  to  your  enlight- 
ening them  as  to  its  advantages." 

"  If  confined  to  such  aid  and  persuasion  your  Society 
would  at  least  be  harmless,  and  probably  beneficial." 

Some  surprise,  I  confess,  I  have  felt  at  these  admissions, 
since,  in  referring  to  the  scheme  of  the  Society,  as  set  forth 
in  the  second  article  of  its  constitution,  which  declares 
that  "  the  object  to  which  its  attention  is  to  be  exclusively 
directed  is  to  promote  and  execute  a  plan  for  colo- 
nizing, with  their  own  consent,  the  free  people  of  color 
residing  in  our  country  in  Africa,  or  such  other  place 
as  Congress  shall  deem  most  expedient,"  you  interpret 
this  object  to  be,  primarily^  to  abolish  slavery  in  the 
United  States,  by  gradually  moving  your  whole  black 
population  to  Africa;  and  secondarihj,  to  benefit  Africa 
and  check  the  slave  trade,  by  establishing  colonies  of 
emancipated  negroes  along  her  coast;  and  declare  your 
objection  to  its  practical  tendency,  among  other  reasons, 


so  MISSION'. 

"  because  it  directs  attention  from  the  great  principles  of 
truth  and  justice  on  the  subject,  and,  by  holding  out  a 
hope  of  emancipation,  which  too  obviously  will  take  cen- 
turies to  realize,  tends  practically  to  rivet  the  fetters  of  the 
slave ;"  and,  further,  because,  "  were  the  free  people  of 
color  even  indifferent,  and  as  willing  to  go  as  to  stay,  you 
question  whether,  regarding  the  interests  of  the  slaves,  it  is 
a  justifiable  measure  to  induce  them  to  remove."  "Those," 
you  add,  "  who  have  escaped  from  bondage  ought  to  be 
the  natural  allies  and  protectors  of  those  of  their  color 
who  remain  in  slavery,  and  I  think  it  hard  to  press  a  plan 
to  withdraw  from  those  who  have  so  few  friends,  their 
natural  allies  and  ablest  protectors." 

If  the  very  scheme  of  the  Society  be  a  delusion,  tend- 
ing to  rivet  the  fetters  of  bondage — if  to  present  as  reasons 
for  emigration  to  the  free  people  of  color  the  advantages 
of  this  scheme,  to  themselves,  and  through  them  to  their 
whole  race,  by  the  civilization  of  Africa  (for  in  no  other 
way  has  the  plan  been  pressed  upon  them,)  be  unjustifi- 
able, considering  their  relations  and  duties  to  the  slaves, 
1  see  not  how  the  Society  might,  upon  any  hypothesis, 
'•be  harmless,  and  probably  beneficial."  Yet,  with  my 
own  convictions  that  to  encourage  manumission  by  co- 
lonization is  among  the  most  effectual  means  at  present  of 
promoting  general  emancipation,  and  that  the  establish- 
ment, by  our  free  people  of  color,  of  civilized  and  Chris- 
tian institutions  in  Africa,  and  the  exaltation  of  their  own 
character  by  so  great  a  work,  will  most  effectually  con- 
tribute to  the  interests  and  ultimate  freedom  of  the  slaves, 
I  should^  even  had  I  adopted  the  principles  of  immediate 
abolition,  sustain  the  Colonization  Society. 

I  am  persuaded  that  the  American  Colonization  Society 
(whether  the  doctrine  of  immediate  abolition  as  a  universal 


CORRESPONDENCE    WITH    BUXTON.  81 

doctrine  be  true  or  false,  and  as  such  a  doctrine,  unless 
confined  simply  to  the  mental  renunciation  of  a  right  to 
regard  man  as  mere  property,  and  the  recognition  of  his 
right  to  equal  benevolence  with  other  human  beings,  it 
appears  demonstrably  false,)  with  all  the  other  errors 
wliichmay  exist  among  its  individual  members,  has  adopt- 
ed, and  is  executuig  a  policy  more  conducive  than  any 
other  which  can  at  present  be  adopted  by  any  organized 
society  in  the  United  States  for  the  benefit  of  the  colored 
race. 

On  the  whole  subject  of  American  slavery  and  the 
American  Colonization  Society,  the  darkest  errors  and 
misrepresentations,  you  will  permit  me  to  say,  prevail  ex- 
tensively in  England. 

"  I  am  persuaded,  therefore,"  you  remark,  "  that  the  line 
of  expedienc)^  adopted  by  the  Colonization  Society,  though 
it  may  now  appear  to  be  the  easiest,  will  not  in  the  end  be 
found  either  so  safe  or  so  short  a  way  out  of  the  difficulties 
of  the  case  as  the  direct  road  of  strict  equity."  But  if  Chris- 
tianity enjoins  the  doctrine  of  expediency  as,  in  many 
cases,  the  only  rule  of  strict  equity — if  the  Civilization 
Society  think  it  right,  because  expedient,  rather  to  attack 
the  slave  trade  in  Africa  than  devote  all  their  resources 
and  energies  to  secure  tlie  triumph  of  the  principles  of 
justice  throughout  the  world — the  Colonization  Society 
may  plead  in  its  defence  the  authority  of  the  Civilization 
Society  and  of  the  Divine  word. 

The  golden  rule  of  our  Saviour,  justly  pronounced  by 
Lord  Bacon  the  perfection  of  the  law  of  nature  and 
nations,  holds  authority  over  man  in  all  conditions,  rela- 
tions and  times,  yet  in  most  cases  the  reason  and  con- 
.science  of  the  individual  or  society  must,  under  responsi- 
bilities to  the  lawgiver,  decide  upon  the  particular  mode 


S2  MISSION. 

ol'  obedience.  The  existence  of  the  obligation  of  reci- 
procal benevolence,  imposed  by  this  law,  between  man 
and  mar.  in  all  possible  circumstances — a  benevolence 
constant  and  enlarged  as  self-love — is  to  be  recognized, 
yet  the  modes  of  exprcs.sion  or  conduct  thereby  required 
vary  endlessly  as  the  relations  and  circumstances  of 
human  beings.  This  obligation  is  the  sole  foundation  of 
human  rights,  and,  except  where  human  actions  are  defined 
and  restrained  by  less  general  and  more  specific  precepts, 
involves  the  whole  doctrine  of  Christian  discretion,  as  in- 
culcated by  the  Saviour,  and  exemplified  in  the  practice  of 
his  apostles. 

'•'  Nothing,"  says  the  great  Edwards,  "  can  be  more  evi- 
dent from  the  New  Testament  (alluding  to  the  introduc- 
tion of  things  new  and  strange  into  the  Church)  than  that 
such  things  ought  to  be  done  with  great  caution  and  mod- 
eration, to  avoid  the  ofience  that  may  thereby  be  given, 
and  the  prejudice  that  might  be  raised  to  clog  and  hinder 
tlie  progress  of  religion  ;  and  the  apostles  avoided  teach- 
ing the  Christians  in  those  early  days,  at  least  for  a  great 
while,  some  high  and  excellent  truths,  because  they  could 
not  bear  them  yet,"  "  And  how  did  Christ  himself,  Avhile 
on  earth,  forbear  so  plainly  to  teach  his  disciples  the  doc- 
trines of  Christianity  concerning  his  satisfaction,  and  the 
particular  benefit  of  his  death,  resurrection,  and  ascension, 
because  in  the  infant  state  in  which  the  disciples  then 
were,  their  minds  were  not  prepared  for  such  instructions. 
••  I  have  many  things  to  say  unto  you,  but  you  cannot  bear 
them  now.'  These  things  might  be  enough  to  convince 
any  one  who  does  not  think  himself  wiser  than  Christ 
and  his  apostles,  that  great  prudence  and  caution  should 
be  used  in  introducing  things  into  the  church  of  God  that 
are  very  uncommon,  though  in  themselves  they  may  he 


CORRESPONDENCE    WITH    BUXTON.  83 

venj  excellent^  lest  by  our  rashness  ami  imprudent  haste 
we  liinder  religion  much  more  than  help  it." 

Unless  in  the  application  of  the  Saviour's  golden  rule, 
Christian  discretion,  as  liere   enforced  by  Edwards,  both 
from  Divine  and  apostolic  example,  is  in  most  cases  to  be 
exercised,  the  language  and  conduct  of  Christ  enjoining 
wisdom  and  harmlessness  of  action,  and  accommodation, 
as  far  as   consists   with  integrity,  to  the   circumstances, 
habits,  and  prejudices  of  mankind,  seems  unintelligible. 
Indeed,  no  doctrine  in  moral  or  physical  science  is  more 
entirely  settled  in  my  own  mind  than  that  expediency, 
controlled  and  directed  by  the  more  general  law  of  recip- 
rocal benevolence,  as  already  explained,  must  be  our  only 
guide  on  all  questions  involving  the  interests  of  the  colored 
and  white  races  in  America.     To  deny  this  doctrine,  and, 
independent  of  all   circumstances  and  consequences,  to 
demand  hnmediate  emancipation  and  social  and  political 
equality  for  the  black  race,  in  compliance  with  the  claims 
of  what  is  called  abstract  justice,  is  Jacobinism,  and,  the 
principle  carried  legitimately  out,  would  subvert  the  gov- 
ernment of  England  and  every  government  in  Europe. 
"  If  it  be  contrary,"  said  Mr.  Calhoun  recently  in  the 
Senate  of  the  United  States,  "  to  the  laws  of  nature  and 
nations  for  man  to  hold  man  in  subjection   individually, 
is  it  not  equally  contrary  for  a  body  of  men  to  hold  ano- 
ther in  subjection  ?     If  man  individually  has  an  absolute 
right  to  self-government,  have  not  men  aggregated  into 
states  or  nations  an  equal  right .?     If  there  be  a  difference, 
is  not  the  right  the  more  perfect  in  a  people  or  nation 
than  in  the  individuals  who  compose  it  i  "     Again,  he 
adds,  "  We  behold  a  small  island,  in  the  German  ocean, 
under  the  absolute  control  of  a  few  hundred  thousand 
individuals,  holding  in  unlimited  subjection  not  fewer 


84  Missio.v. 

tlian  one  hundred  and  fifty  millions  of  human  beings, 
dispersed  over  every  part  of  the  globe,  making  not  less 
than  two  hundred  to  each  of  the  dominant  class  ;  and  yet 
that  class  propagating  a  maxim  with  more  than  missionaiy 
zeal,  that  strikes  at  the  foundation  of  this  mighty  power. 
I  would  say  to  her,  and  to  other  powers  impelled  by  like 
madness,  you  are  attempting  what  will  prove  impossible. 
You  cannot  make  a  monopoly  of  a  principle  so  as  to 
vend  it  for  your  own  benefit.  It  will  be  carried  out  to 
its  ultimate  results,  when  its  re-action  will  be  terrific  on 
your  social  and  political  condition.  Already  it  begins  to 
show  its  fruits.  The  subject  mass  of  your  population, 
under  the  name  of  Chartists,  are  now  clamoring  for  the 
benefit  of  the  maxim  as  applied  to  themselves.  It  is  but 
the  beginning." 

The  great  object,  you,  sir,  M'ill  agree,  to  be  attained, 
is  the  freedom  and  happiness  of  the  colored  race. 

I  regard  the  policy  of  the   Colonization  Society  most 
conducive  of  any,  at  present,  to  this  end — 

1.  Because  it  tends  to  unite  the  northern  and  southern 
States.  In  the  stability  and  influence  of  the  federal  union 
are  involved  the  best  hopes  of  the  slaves.  That  union 
favors  the  cause  of  liberty,  and  whatever  would  weaken 
it  is  hostile  to  the  cause  of  emancipation  for  the  slave, 
and  to  the  cause  of  freedom  throughout  the  world.  To 
strengthen  and  perpetuate  this  union  is  vitally  important 
to  the  interests  of  all  races  in  America,  and  to  humanity. 
2.  If  the  doctrine  of  immediate  and  unconditional 
emancipation  be  the  true  doctrine,  the  southern  States  are 
not  prepared  to  receive  it,  and  to  press  it  now  upon  them 
from  abroad,  tends  to  throw  them  upon  the  alternative 
of  no  emancipation.  The  policy  of  the  Colonization 
Society  has  extended  and  deepened  convictions  in  the 


CORRESPONDENCE    WITH    BUXTON.  85 

southern  mind  in  favor  of  gradual  and  final  emancipation, 
and  is  thus  approaching,  if  it  do  not  at  once  reach,  the 
desired  end.  Men  of  all  opinions  on  slavery,  and  from 
all  the  States,  exchange  thoughts  in  a  spirit  of  concilia- 
tion on  the  subject,  and,  if  it  urges  not  the  true  doctrine, 
it  prevents  the  adoption  of  one  most  opposite  to  it ;  if  it 
proposes  only  a  palliative  and  not  a  remedy  for  slavery, 
it  is  preparing  the  way  for  such  a  remedy. 

3.  Because  it  aims  to  secure  for  the  negro  race  of 
America,  the  highest  good,  as  a  people,  to  which  they  can 
aspire  —  a  good  beyond  and  above  mere  emancipation  — 
an  unembarrassed  and  advantageous  position — an  inde- 
pendent and  national  existence.  Were  emancipation  to 
occur  in  the  United  States  to-morrow,  the  chief  reasons 
for  African  colonization  would  continue  in  unimpaired 
and  even  augmented  vigor.  The  condition  of  the  black 
race  must  be  for  centuries,  as  has  been  said,  like  that  of 
the  germ  springing  from  the  acorn  at  the  foot  of  the  parent 
tree,  overshadowed  and  withered  by  the  power  and  influ- 
ence of  the  whites.  To  blend  the  races  were  undesirable 
if  possible,  and  impossible  if  desirable.  No  law  of  morals 
binds  men  to  such  a  result,  nor,  in  the  judgment  of  the 
wisest  and  best  people  in  the  United  States,  any  law  of 
expediency.  To  limit  influence  and  exertions  to  such  an 
end,  would  be  to  annihilate  the  greatest  reason  for  sus- 
taining the  Colonization  Society,  namely. 

In  the  4th  place,  because  it  connects  the  moral  and 
intellectual  elevation  of  the  colored  population  of  America 
with  the  improvement  of  their  race  in  Africa,  making  them 
the  agents  of  incalculable  good,  not  to  themselves  and 
posterity  alone,  but  to  the  perishing  millions  of  the  most 
afflicted  and  barbarous  quarter  of  the  globe. 

The  speeches  and  writings  of  the  founders  of  the 
8 


86  Missio-V. 

American  Colonization  Society,  prove  that  it  was  limited 
in  its  direct  benefits  by  the  terms  of  its  constitution  to 
the  free,  not  from  disregard  to  the  M-elfare  of  the  slaves, 
or  other  portions  of  their  race,  but  from  a  conviction  that 
such  limitation  Avould,  in  its  ultimate  consequences,  be 
the  means  of  amplest  and  richest  blessings  to  the  colored 
population  of  the  world.  The  late  General  Harper,  in 
his  letter  to  the  Society,  published  in  its  first  two  reports, 
and  Mr.  Clay,  in  his  early  and  able  speeches  in  its  sup- 
port, vievt^  the  principle  it  developcs,  and  the  plan  it  has 
adopted,  capable  of  indefinite  application  and  extension, 
and  worthy  to  be  prosecuted,  on  a  large  scale,  by  the 
States ;  and  with  the  consent  of  the  States  interested,  by 
the  general  government,  in  regard  to  emancipation  and 
the  restoration  of  those  liberated,  with  their  own  consent, 
to  their  ancient  mother  country  ;  there  to  found  civiliza- 
tion and  free  Government,  and,  by  their  arts,  enterprizc, 
and  Christianity,  redeem  Africa  from  her  cruel  supersti- 
tions and  iron  bondage,  and  raise  her  to  life,  importance, 
respectability,  and  a  name  among  the  nations  of  the  earth. 
"  Cast  your  eyes,"  said  General  Harper,  alluding  to 
Africa,  "  on  this  vast  continent.  What  a  field  is  here 
presented  for  the  blessings  of  civilization  and  Christianity, 
Avhich  colonies  of  civilized  blacks  afford  the  best  and 
probably  the  only  means  of  introducing !  These,  com- 
posed of  blacks  already  instructed  in  the  arts  of  civilized 
life  and  the  truths  of  the  Gospel,  judiciously  placed,  well 
conducted,  and  constantly  enlarged,  will  extend  gradually 
into  the  interior,  will  form  commercial  and  political  con- 
nections with  the  native  tribes  in  their  vicinity,  will 
extend  those  connections  with  tribes  more  and  more 
remote,  will  incorporate  many  of  the  natives  with  the 
colonies,  and,  in  their  turn,  make  establishments  and  set- 


CORRESPONDENCE    WITH    BUXTON.  S7 

tleinents  among  the  natives,  and  thus  clifTuse  all  arounrl 
the  arts  of  civilization,  and  the  benelits  of  literary,  moral, 
and  relig-ious  instruction."  "  We  may,"  said  Mr.  Clay, 
"boldly  challenge  the  annals  of  hmnan  nature  for  the 
record  of  any  human  plan  for  the  amelioration  of  the 
condition  and  advancement  of  the  happiness  of  our  race, 
which  promised  more  unmixed  good  or  more  compre- 
hensive beneficence  than  that  of  African  colonization,  if 
carried  into  full  execution.  Its  benevolent  purpose  is 
not  limited  to  the  confines  of  one  continent,  nor  to  the 
prosperity  of  a  solitary  race,  but  embraces  two  of  the 
largest  quarters  of  the  earth,  and  the  peace  and  happiness 
of  both  of  the  descriptions  of  their  present  inhabitants, 
with  the  countless  millions  of  their  posterity,  who  are  to 
succeed." 

•  To  the  free  people  of  color  of  the  United  States,  (now 
some  four  or  five  hundred  thousand,)  and  to  those  who, 
from  among  the  slaves,  there,  shall  be  added  to  their  num- 
ber, must  philanthropy,  in  my  judgment,  especially  look, 
as  to  the  elected  agents  of  Providence  for  the  redemption 
of  Africa.  Once  aroused  to  a  sense  of  the  grandeur  of 
their  destiny,  impelled  alike  by  interest  and  duty  to  re- 
possess the  magnificent  land  from  Avhich  their  progenitors 
were  cruellj'  forced  into  exile,  they  will  at  no  distant  day 
return  thither,  bearing  Avith  them  our  arts,  language,  and 
the  records  of  a  pure  religion,  and  animated  with  a  gen- 
erous enthusiasm  to  found  upon  that  shore  of  crime  and 
ruin,  free  states  and  the  church  of  God.  Thus  will  they 
redeem  themselves  and  their  race  from  degradation  and 
dishonor.  It  is  by  self-exertion  that  a  people,  like  indi- 
viduals, rise  to  greatness  and  renown. 

Sir,  when  I  consider  my  own  country,  I  cannot  despair 
of  Africa.     From  a  svstem  of  colonization,  commenced 


S8  MISSION. 

under  circumstances  most  discouraging,  two  centuries 
ago,  at  Plymouth  and  Jamestown,  has  arisen  the  republic 
of  North  America,  already  embracing  twenty-six  States 
and  a  population  of  nearly  twenty  millions,  commanding 
respect  on  every  sea  and  every  land,  rearing  the  tro- 
phies of  victorious  enterprize,  the  monuments  of  her 
beneficence  and  power,  at  the  very  base  of  the  Rocky 
momitains,  and  destined  before  this  generation  shall  have 
passed  away,  to  cover  their  western  declivities  with  the 
habitations  of  civilized  men. 

Let  the  friends  oi'  Africa  in  England  and  America,  and 
throughout  Christendom,  unite,  do  pistice  to  the  motives 
of  each  othei',  and,  as  far  as  practicable,  co-operate  in 
aiding  her  long  exiled  children  to  return  to  her  bosom, 
to  Ileal  her  wounds,  raise  her  from  disgrace,  become  the 
teachers  of  their  brethren,  and  avail  themselves  of  the 
resources  of  her  soil,  the  commerce  of  her  rivers,  and 
the  treasures  of  her  mines,  and  the  mariner,  two  centuries 
hence,  as  he  guides  his  ship  along  her  shore,  will  be 
cheered  by  the  light  of  her  cities,  and  everywhere  see 
the  evidences  and  hear  the  sounds  of  a  free,  an  enlight- 
ened, and  a  happy  people. 

Pardon  me  for  having  extended  to  such  a  length  these 
remarks ;  I  might  say  much  more ;  I  could  not  well  have 
said  less. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir, 

with  profound  respect, 

your  friend  and  servant. 

Sir  T.  F.  Buxton.  R.  R.  GURLEY. 

Anxious  to  obtain,  without  delay,  an  interview  with 
the  General  Committee  of  the  African  Civilization  Soci- 
ety, I  repeatedly  expressed  ray  desire  to  the  Secretary  of 


INTERVIEW  WITH  CIVILIZATION  COMxMITTEE.         S9 

that  institution,  but  no  opportunity  occurred  before  the 
3d  of  December.  In  tlie  mean  time,  I  sought,  on  all 
proper  occasions,  among  those  to  whom  I  had  been 
introduced,  to  dispel  the  errors  which  had  been  propa- 
gated by  the  enemies  of  the  Colonization  Society,  and 
jnake  evident,  its  philanthropic  character.  The  meet- 
ing of  the  General  Committee,  on  the  3d  of  Decem- 
ber, was  attended  by  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton,  (in  the  chair,) 
Dr.  Lushington,  Sir  Robert  Inglis,  William  Allen,  Dr. 
Hodgkin,  and  many  others  of  honorable  fame  in  the 
(;ause  of  humanity. 

To  this  Committee  I  stated,  concisely,  the  object  of 
my  visit  to  London ;  spoke  of  the  attachment  felt  by 
thousands  in  the  United  States  to  the  scheme  of  their 
association  5  of  the  interest  awakened  by  the  able  work 
on  the  slave  trade,  and  its  remedy ;  of  the  origin,  princi- 
ples and  success  of  the  American  Colonization  Society ; 
described  the  condition  and  prospects  of  Liberia ;  urged 
very  explicitly  and  decidedly  the  opinion,  that  in  so  far 
as  the  Civilization  Society  did  not  aim  to  found  perma- 
nent colonies  of  free  colored  persons,  destined  ultimately 
to  a  distinct  and  independent  political  existence,  its  po- 
licy and  efforts  were  defective  ;  assured  them  of  the 
wish  of  the  great  body  of  American  Colonizationists 
to  maintain  kind  relations  and  co-operation  with  the 
friends  of  Africa  in  England,  in  what  they  deemed,  in  its 
general  nature,  one  and  the  same  great  work  of  benefi- 
cence ;  and,  finally,  submitted  a  definite  proposition  for 
the  extension,  prospectively,  of  the  Liberian  territory  as 
far  south  and  east  as  the  river  Assinee,  or  even  to  Axim. 
The  following  letter,  addressed  to  the  President  of  the 
Colonization  Society  and  the  Board  of  Directors,  con- 
8* 


90  MISSIOiV. 

tains  a  brief  report  of  this  interview  with  these  gentle- 
men of  the  Civilization  Society  : 

"  LoNDOiX,  Decemier  19,  1S40. 

"My  dear  sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  to  your- 
self, and  throng-h  you,  to  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the 
American  Colonization  Society,  several  manuscript  docu- 
ments, and  three  or  four  printed  letters,  which  will  show 
in  part,  how  I  have  been  employed  since  the  date  of  my 
last  communication,  dh-ected  to  M.  St.  Clair  Clarke,  Esq., 
for  the  Society- 

"  In  former  letters,  I  have  stated  the  causes  which 
retarded,  for  many  weeks  after  my  arrival  in  England, 
operations  to  accomplish  the  objects  of  my  mission  ;  and 
at  present  I  am  able  to  report  nothing  of  great  impor- 
tance, in  addition  to  what  will  be  found  in  the  accompa- 
nying papers. 

"  It  is  matter  of  regret,  that  the  erroneous  impressions- 
made  upon  the  English  mind  by  American  Abolitionists, 
with  zeal  and  activity  for  the  last  eight  years,  are  deep 
and  extensive,  and  that  the  recent  visit  of  several  leading 
individuals  of  this  class,  to  this  country,  has  contributed 
to  strengthen  prejudices  against  the  people  of  the  United 
States,  on  the  subject  of  slavery  and  colonization,  which 
the  English  public  are  well  prepared  and  predisposed  to 
entertain.  1  have  neglected  no  means  or  opportunity  of 
correcting  the  prevailing  misrepresentations,  and  making 
known  the  humane  and  philanthropic  character  of  our 
institution,  and  the  remarkable  success  which  has  attend- 
ed the  establishment  and  progress  of  Liberia. 

"  In  the  benevolent  intentions  of  the  African  Civiliza- 
tion Society  my  confidence  is  undiminished,  yet  you  will 


REPORT  OF  INTERVIEW.  91 

perceive,  from  my  letters  to  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton,  that  I 
apprehend  their  measures  may  prove  defective.  The 
spirit  of  commercial  gain  is  so  predominant  in  England, 
and  the  Government  so  intent  upon  opening  new  markets 
for  English  manufactures,  that  I  fear  the  philanthropy  of 
Mr.  Buxton  and  his  associates  will  hardly  be  able  so  to 
guard  their  plans  and  policy,  as  to  secure  the  main  ad- 
vantages of  both,  to  the  population  of  Africa.  In 
neglecting  to  devote  their  best  energies  to  the  plantation 
of  pemianent  colonies  of  free  men  of  color,  which  may 
exhibit  models  of  good,  social,  and  political  institutions, 
I  conceive  they  greatly  err.  But  as  their  plans  are 
obviously  immature,  and  must  remain  so,  until  after  the 
return  of  the  expedition  to  the  Niger,  (which  will  sail 
in  the  course  of  a  few  weeks,)  we  may  hope  those  who 
conduct  them  will  become  wiser  by  reflection  and  expe- 
rience. 

"  On  the  3d  of  this  month  I  was  introduced  to  the 
General  Committee  of  the  Civilization  Society,  and 
explained  to  them, 'in  a  brief  speech,  the  principles  and 
proceedings  of  the  Colonization  Society ;  stated  the  con- 
dition and  encouraging  prospects  of  Liberia,  and  ex- 
pressed the  friendly  sentiments  cherished  by  the  Presi- 
dent and  Directors  of  that  Society,  towards  the  one 
which  they  represented ;  and  which  was  viewed  as  kin- 
dred in  its  objects ;  aiming  in  like  manner  to  overthrow 
the  slave  trade  and  extend  the  blessings  of  civilization 
and  Christianity  to  the  barbarous  tribes  and  nations  of 
Africa.  I  also  made  to  them,  in  obedience  to  my  instruc- 
tions, a  distinct  proposition  in  regard  to  the  extension  of 
the  Liberian  territory. 

"  The  meeting  was  large,  comprising  several  distin- 
guished persons,  and  gave  me  a  respectful  hearing,  but. 


92  Missiox. 

•as  seemed  apparent,  rather  from  courtesy  than  a  desire  to 
enter  into  intimate  relations  of  intercourse  and  friendship 
with  the  Colonization  Society.  The  resolution*  adopted 
the  .same  day  by  this  Committee  is  herewith  transmitted. 
Dr.  Lushington  has  since  expressed  a  desire  to  under- 
stand our  views  and  proceedings,  and  I  hope  soon  to 
confer  with  him  on  the  subject.  I  am  convinced  that  a 
gradual  but  great  change  is  taking  place  among  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Civilization  Society  in  our  favor,  which 
tlieir  desire  to  retain  the  confidence  and  support  of  the 
Abolitionists  renders  them  slow  to  acknowledge. 

'"  I  am  under  very  great  obligations  to  Dr.  Thomas 
Hodgkin  for  the  most  earnest  and  unremitting  exertions 
to  advance  the  interests  of  the  Society.  My  Avarmest 
gratitude  is  also  due  to  Petty  Vaughan,  esquire,  and  to 
Messrs.  A.  and  G.  Ralston,  for  very  obliging  attentions. 
Our  minister,  Mr.  Stevenson,  has  shown  every  disposition 
to  promote  the  cause  of  the  Society. 

^'  Three  small  meetings  have  been  held,  to  consider  tlie 
measures  best  to  be  adopted,  and  particularly  to  decide 
whether  efforts  should  be  made  to  revive  the  British 
African  Colonization  Society.  It  has  been  judged  expe- 
dient to  postpone  such  efforts  for  the  present,  while  the 
request  has  been  made,  that  a  pamphlet,  containing  a  brief 
exposition  of  the  design  of  the  Society,  and  a  view  of 

*  I  am  unable  to  obtain  a  copy  of  this  resolution  from  the  office 
of  tlie  Colonization  Society,  where  (though  accompanying  this 
letter,)  I  learn  it  has  not  been  received.  The  purport  of 
it  was,  "That  the  General  Committee  did  not  regard  them- 
selves as  competent  to  consider  questions  relating  to  territorial 
limits  and  jurisdiction  in  Africa,  such  questions  being  left  to  the 
Governments  of  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States ;  but  that 
they  trusted  cordial  feelings  of  regard  would  be  cherished  between 
the  fiiends  of  Africa  in  both  countries." 


IMPORTANCE  OF   STATISTICS  FROM  THE  COLONY.         93 

its  operations  in  Africa,  should  be  prepared  forthwith  for 
publication.  This  work  I  hope  to  accomplish  before  my 
return  to  the  United  States. 

"  Questions  are  frequently  pi'oposed  in  relation  to  the 
statistics  of  Liberia,  which  no  returns  that  1  have  seen, 
enable  me  satisfactorily  to  answer.  I  trust  the  Directors 
may  be  able,  through  Governor  Buchanan,  to  obtain  state- 
ments, minute  and  accurate,  in  regard  to  the  trade,  agri- 
culture, population,  births,  deaths,  improvements,  &,c.,  of 
the  colony,  sufllcient  to  satisfy  the  most  curious  inquiries. 

"  Some  unpleasant  feelings  have  been  excited  among 
English  merchants  engaged  in  the  African  trade,  by  the 
proceedings  of  Governor  Buchanan  against  Capt.  Herbert, 
and  the  matter  has  been  brought  to  the  consideration  of 
Lord  Palmerston.  Dr.  Hodgkin,  who  informs  me  that 
Capt.  Herbert  had  made  very  favorable  reports  of  the 
character  and  condition  of  Liberia,  especially  regrets  that 
any  causes  of  irritation  should  occur  between  the  citizens 
of  that  colony,  and  Englishmen,  prosecuting  lawful  com- 
merce, on  that  coast.  Of  the  case  of  Capt.  Herbert  I 
know  nothing,  except  from  a  brief  paragraph  in  the  Re- 
pository, but  feel  assured  that  Governor  Buchanan  felt 
himself  entirely  justified  in  the  course  he  adopted. 

"  We  can  hardly  hope  for  any  considerable  amount  of 
funds  for  the  Colonization  Society  at  present  from  the 
British  public.  This,  though  a  subject  of  deep  regret  to 
me,  is  none  of  disappointment ;  a  change  of  opinion  must 
precede  contributions ;  and  though  these  may  not  now 
be  secured,  much  may,  I  think  be  done,  towards  securing 
a  greater  object,  the  awakening  of  just  and  liberal  senti- 
ments in  this  country  towards  the  Colonization  Society, 
and  the  citizens  generally  of  the  United  States. 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  yours,  &.c.,  R.  R.  GURLEY. 
Hon.  H.  Clav,  President  of  the  Jl.  C-  Society?'' 


94  Missio.v. 

Subsequently  to  this  interview  with  the  General  Com- 
mittee of  the  Civilization  Society,  I  obtained  an  introduc- 
tion, through  the  obliging  attentions  of  the  American 
minister,  Mr.  Stevenson,  to  Lord  John  Russell,  Secretary 
of  State  for  the  colonies.  I  also  conferred  freely  with 
another  individual  of  great  influence  in  the  affairs  of  the 
Government,  as  well  as  in  the  direction  of  the  Civiliza- 
tion Society,  Avhose  name,  for  reasons  which  it  is  unne- 
cessary to  state,  is  omitted  in  the  letter  here  submitted. 

"LoxDOx,  Jannarij  19,  1S41. 

My  dear  sir:  Since  I  last  had  the  honor  of  reporting 
to  you,  sir,  as  President,  and  through  you  to  the  Directors 
of  the  American  Colonization  Society,  my  proceedings  in 
this  country,  I  have  been  favored  with  interviews  by  Lord 
John  Russell,  her  Majesty's  Secretary  of  State  for  the 
colonies,  and  with . 

"  To  Lord  John  Russell,  I  explained  the  benevolent  views 
of  the  Colonization  Society,  and  mentioned  the  instruc- 
tions I  had  received,  to  endeavor  through  the  African 
Civilization  Society,  to  obtain  the  assent  of  the  British 
Government,  to  a  proposition,  that  the  portion  of  the  Afri- 
can coast  south  and  east  of  Cape  Palmas,  as  far  as  the 
river  Assinee,  should  be  prospectively  within  the  limits  of 
Liberia.  I  mentioned  also,  the  success  which  had  attended 
the  exertions  of  the  Colonization  Society  ;  the  influence  of 
the  laws  and  citizens  of  Liberia  in  the  suppression  of  the 
slave  trade  and  the  civilization  of  Africa  ;  the  prospect  of 
the  growth  of  this  colony ;  and  the  injurious  consequences 
to  be  apprehended  from  the  establishment  of  communities 
by  any  other  than  Americans,  in  its  immediate  vicinity. 
1  alluded  to  the  deep  interest  felt  in  the  United  States  in 
all  measures  adapted  to  overthrow  the  slave  trade  and 
civilize  the  popidation  of  Africa,  and  to  the  opinion  en- 


INTERVIEW  WITH  LORD  JOHN  RUSSELL.  95 

tertaiiied  there,  that  the  Colonization  and  Civilization 
Societies  were  intended  to  operate  to  the  same  great  and 
philanthropic  end. 

"  I  also  ventured  to  suggest,  that  nothing,  would,  as  a 
measure  of  force,  tend  so  effectually  to  the  extinction  ol 
the  African  commerce  in  slaves,  as  a  union  of  all  the  mari- 
time powers  in  the  denunciation  of  it  as  piracy.,  by  the 
universal  law  of  nations. 

"  His  lordship  said,  that  my  statements  and  observations 
should  receive  his  consideration  ;  that  he  was  gratified  to 
learn  that  so  many  benevolent  individuals  in  America 
were  disposed  to  co-operate  in  the  civilization  of  Africa ; 
and  that  the  Colonization  Society  had  his  best  wishes  for 
its  prosperity.  He  indicated  that,  in  regard  to  the  limits 
of  territory  in  Africa,  it  would  be  desirable  that  some  pro- 
position should  come  from  the  United  States  Government, 
although  I  fully  explained  to  him  the  fact,  that  with  the 
Government,  the  Colonization  Society  had  no  direct  con- 
nection. I  should  have  stated,  that  his  lordship  perused 
vour  letter  or  commission  with  respectful  attention. 

"  My  conversation  with  was  more  particu- 
lar and  protracted  than  with  Lord  John  Russell.  It  will 
be  recollected  that  this  gentleman  some  years  ago  signed 
a  protest  against  the  Colonization  Society,  Avhile  for  a 
long  time  he  has  been  distinguished  in  the  House  of  Com- 
mons, both  for  his  efforts  against  the  slave  trade  and  in 
the  cause  of  West  Indian  emancipation.  He  is  an  indi- 
vidual of  extensive  information,  of  enlightened  views  on 
most  subjects,  and  of  liberal  and  benevolent  sentiments. 
I  stated  to  him,  the  principles  and  policy  of  the  Coloniza- 
tion Society,  and  the  remarkable  success  which  had 
attended  its  proceedings.  He  expressed  a  favorable 
opinion  of  Liberia,  and  like  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton  could  see 


96  MISSION. 

no  objection  to  the  Society,  as  its  purpose  is  exhibited  in 
its  constitution  ;  but  frankly  said  that  he  had  disapproved 
of  the  institution,  because  he  supposed  it  to  rest  upon  the 
assumption  that  the  colored  lace  could  not,  in  America, 
rise  to  equality  Avith  the  whiles,  and  therefore  should  be 
expatriated,  and  thus  he  thought  the  Society  obstructed 
the  social  union  of  the  two  races  and  fostered  an  unjusti- 
fiable spirit  of  caste.  He  spoke  much  of  the  effect  of 
emancipation  in  the  West  Indies,  as  seen  in  the  decay  of 
this  spirit,  and  of  the  prospect  of  an  amalgamation  of  the 
white  and  colored  races  in  those  Islands.  I  of  course 
sought  to  correct  his  errors,  and  to  explain  the  actual 
condition  and  prospects  of  the  colored  race  in  the  United 
States,  and  to  show  that  all  attempts  by  foreign  or  exclu- 
sively northern  societies,  (if  indeed,  efforts  any  where  and 
in  any  way  were  otherwise,)  to  produce  a  social  and 
political  union  on  equal  terms  between  the  two  races,  were, 
at  present,  highly  injurious,  and  dangerous  to  the  peace 
and  interests  of  all  classes  in  our  southern  States. 

" said,  that  although  he  was  a  member  of  the 

Anti-Slavery  Societies  of  this  kingdom,  he  must  not  be  held 
responsible  for  all  their  proceedings,  and  that  certainly  he 
did  not  approve  of  the  interference  or  intermeddling  of 
English  philanthropists  with  the  domestic  or  political  af- 
fairs of  the  Americans.  He  appeared  also  to  dissent  from 
the  doctrines  of  a  large  portion  of  the  immediate  aboli- 
tionists, while  he  urged,  (and  I  thought  with  some  reason,) 
the  duty  of  the  southern  States  of  America  to  commence 
efforts  in  the  way  of  ameliorating  the  condition  and  improv- 
ing the  minds  of  the  colored  population  within  their  limits. 

"He  told  me,  (which  was  gratifying  and  occasioned 
some  surprize,  as  it  had  not  been  stated  by  Sir  T.  F.  Bux- 
ton,) that  the  English  Government  had  consented  with 


INTERVIEW  WITH  .  97 

great  reluctance  to  acquire  any,  even  a  temporary  juris- 
diction over  the  territory  in  Africa,  that  the  expedition 
fitted  out  at  an  expense  of  £61,000,  and  soon  to  sail  fer 
the  Niger,  and  other  measures  of  the  Government,  Avhich 
might  follow  it,  were  temporary  only  and  designed  to 
prepare  the  way  for  settlements  of  colored  men  from  vari- 
ous parts  of  the  world,  who  \tere  to  be  invited  and  en- 
couraged to  establish  independent  communities  for  agri- 
cultural, commercial  and    other   purposes,    and  for   the 

civilization  of  Africa.     is  a  leading  member  of  the 

African  Civilization  Society,  and  if  his  opinions  are  correct, 
the  policy  and  objects  of  that  Society  cannot  iail  to  prove 
identical  with  that  of  the  Colonization  Society.  It  is  very 
possible,  however,  that  the  views  and  plans  both  of  the  Bri- 
tish Government  and  of  the  Civilization  Society,  are  as  yet, 
immature,  and  liable  to  be  varied  by  future  circumstances. 

"  I  trust  that  the  ideas  of may  prevail,  and  that 

all  eilbrts  in  this  country  for  the  good  of  Africa,  will 
finally  be  concentrated  on  the  scheme  of  founding,  in  that 
land,  communities  or  states  of  free  men  of  color,  which 
may  afford  models  of  good  political  and  social  institu- 
tions, and  raise  the  barbarians  of  that  country  to  an  equal 
share  with  themselves  in  the  blessings  of  knowledge, 
liberty  and  Christianity. 

"  I  should  add,  that  on  the  subject  of  the  territory  of 
Liberia,  is  of  opinion,  that  neither  the  Govern- 
ment nor  people  of  England  will  be  disposed  to  plant  set- 
tlements which  may  interfere  with  its  growth  or  pros- 
perity. He  seemed  a  little  startled  at  the  fact,  that  the 
country  of  the  Kroo  people  is  within  the  limits  of  the 
Liberian  territory  ;  spoke  of  them  as  a  people  of  very  in- 
teresting character,  and  of  great  importance  to  any  Go- 
vernment or  society  that  might  seek  to  civilizo  Africa. 
9 


98  MISSION. 

"  I  briefly  alluded  to  the  possible  dangers  to  which 
Liberia  might  be  exposed  in  case  of  war,  and  the  impor- 
tance of  its  being  regarded  as  neutral  in  any  such  contest. 
He  remarked,  that  he  did  not  believe  it  would  be  disturbed 
by  England,  and  that  ho  would  cheerfully  exert  his  influ- 
ence to  secure  the  recognition  of  its  neutral  rights  by  this 
and  other  Powers. 

"  I  respectfully  submit  to  you,  sir,  and  the  Directors  of 
the  Society,  whether  endeavors  should  not  be  made,  to 
secure  authority  and  aid  from  Congress,  to  fit  out  a  small 
expedition  to  explore  certain  portions  of  the  African  coast, 
and  also,  whether  efforts  sliould  not  be  renewed  in  our 
national  legislature  ;  to  obtain  the  consent  of  all  Christian 
nations  to  stigmatize  the  African  slave  trade  as  piracy  by 
universal  national  law  ? 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  be, 

"  Dear  sir,  with  perfect  respect, 
"Your  friend  and  servant, 
"  R.  R.  GURLEY. 

"Hox.  He.\ry  Clay." 

All  the  communications  of  the  writer  except  this  last, 
had  been  transmitted  in  time  to  reach  Washington  before 
the  annual  meeting  of  the  Directors.  No  instructions 
from  them  arrived ;  and  it  naturally  occun-ed  to  him,  that 
they  had  judged  best  to  commit  to  his  discretion  the 
question  of  deciding  on  the  time  and  means  for  effecting 
the  general  purposes  of  his  commission;  and  yet,  it 
seemed  but  reasonable  that  in  such  case,  he  should  have 
been  informed  of  their  opinion. 

It  was  clear,  that  to  enlighten  and  cliange  the  public 
mind,  very  much  darkened  and  perverted  by  the  oppo- 
nents of  the  Colonization  Society,  truth  must  find  access 


LECTURES  IN  EGYPTIAX  HALL.  99 

to  the  people,  either  through  oral  or  printed  discourse. 
From  what  I  soon  discovered  of  the  candour  and  good 
sense  of  the  educated  classes  in  England,  my  conviction 
was  entire,  that  full  explanations  and  honest  statements, 
would  secure  a  favorable  verdict  in  behalf  of  the  senti- 
ments of  the  Colonization  Society,  and  the  policy  de- 
veloped in  the  settlements  of  Liberia.  But  preparations 
for  public  meetings  are  attended  with  great  expense  in 
England ;  and  this  expense,  in  regard  to  an  unpopular 
cause,  is  necessarily  thrown  upon  its  advocates,  and 
the  writer  was  unsupplied  Avith  resources  for  opening 
halls  and  chapels  for  the  discussion  and  defence  of  the 
scheme  which  he  had  been  delegated  to  represent  and 
promote. 

Near  the  close  of  January,  George  Catlin,  Esq.,  in  the 
most  friendly  and  generous  manner,  proposed  that  I  should 
occupy  Egyptian  Hall,  (then  under  his  control,)  and  I 
announced  the  purpose  of  delivering  two  lectures  on  the 
principles,  policy,  and  success  of  the  American  Coloniza- 
tion Society.  The  following  very  brief  and  imperfect 
notice  of  these  lectures  and  several  subsequent  meetings, 
appeared  in  the  London  Sun,  of  February  8th  : 

"  Agreeably  to  public  notice,  the  Rev.  R.  R.  Gurley, 
Secretary  of  the  American  Colonization  Society,  addressed 
an  audience  on  two  successive  evenings  (Thursday  and 
Friday)  last  week  in  Egyptian  Hall,  Piccadilly,  explain- 
ing the  views  and  enlarged  benevolence  of  this  Society, 
towards  all  classes  of  the  colored  race,  in  America  and 
Africa,  and  replying  to  various  objections  urged  against  it. 
At  the  close  of  the  second  lecture,  Mr.  Gurley  was  invited 
by  one  of  his  auditors,  Mr.  John  Scoble,  of  the  Anti- 
Slavery  Society  to  enter  on  a  debate  with  him.  The 
challenge   was   readily  accepted  for   Monday   evening. 


100  MISSIOX. 

Avhen  a  highly  interesting  discussion  took  place,  which 
was  adjourned  to  Wednesday,  Daniel  Lister,  Esq.,  presid- 
ing on  both  occasions.  At  the  close  of  Mr.  Gurley's 
reply,  to  Mr.  Scoble^s  lirst  speech  on  Wednesday,  the  latter, 
oftended  at  the  course  of  the  Chairman,  (which  was  sus- 
tained by  the  meeting,)  suddenly  left  the  platform.  Mr. 
Gurley  was  requested  to  proceed  in  his  statements.  At  the 
conclusion  of  his  remarks,  on  the  motion  of  Dr.  Costel- 
lo,  seconded  by  A.  B.  Wright,  Esq.,  the  meeting  expressed 
their  thanks  to  Mr.  Gurley  for  the  valuable  facts  and  viewsj 
he  had  so  eloquently  submitted  to  their  consideration,  and 
adjourned  till  Friday  evening.  At  this  third  meeting,  Mr. 
Lister  having  been  again  called  to  the  chair,  Dr.  Costello 
reviewed,  in  a  brief  but  pertinent  and  able  manner,  the 
course  of  the  several  meetings.  The  Chairman  also 
made  a  few  observations,  expressive  of  his  regret  that  any 
thing  should  have  occurred,  which  should  have  been 
deemed  by  Mr.  Scoble,  cause  sufficient,  to  render  his  re- 
treat necessary.  Mr.  Gurley  then,  at  the  request  of  the 
meeting,  submitted  various  facts  and  documents  vindi- 
cating the  American  Colonization  Society  and  the  colony 
of  Liberia  from  objections  and  reproach,  and  showing  its 
tendency  to  suppress  the  African  slave  trade,  and  intro- 
duce civilization  and  Christianity  among  the  native  popu- 
lation. Elliott  Cresson,  Esq.,  followed  Mr.  Gurley  with 
many  facts  and  statements  in  corroboration  of  his  views 
and  of  the  beneficent  policy  of  the  Society. 

'•Lieutenant  Colonel  H.  Dundas  Campbell,  late  Gov- 
ernor of  Sierra  Leone,  then  rose  and  expressed,  in  a  very 
earnest  and  emphatic  manner,  his  regard  for  the  Ameri- 
can Colonization  Society,  and  from  liis  personal  observa- 
tions on  the  coast  of  Africa,  and  reports  from  English 
naval  officers  who  had  visited  Liberia,  his  conviction  of 


DEBATE  WITH  MR.  SCOBLE.  101 

tho  good  character  of  the  people  of  that  colony,  and  of 
the  great  benefits  to  be  anticipated  from  the  multiplica- 
tion of  similar  establishments.  Colonel  Campbell  then 
moved  a  resolution,  '  That  the  American  Colonization 
Society  is  deserving  of  high  approbation,  and  that  this 
Society  and  the  colony  of  Liberia  are  contributing 
essentially  to  the  suppression  of  the  African  slave  trade 
and  the  civilization  of  Africa.' 

''  Mr.  Guest,  in  seconding  the  motion,  suggested  by  way 
of  amendment,  'That  in  the  lectures  and  debates  to 
which  the  meeting  had  listened  for  several  evenings,  Mr. 
Gurlcy  had  triumphantly  vindicated  the  American  Colo- 
nization Society  from  all  reproach,  and  established  its 
cliaracter  as  a  pure  and  benevolent  institution.' 

''Petty  Vaughan,  Esq.,  proposed  to  add,  'That  the 
American  Colonization  Society  is  worthy  of  the  appro- 
bation and  support  of  English  philanthropy."  The  ori- 
ginal resolution  of  Colonel  Campbell,  and  the  amend- 
ments, were  then  unanimously  adopted.  A  committee 
was  appointed,  and  a  subscription  opened,  (on  motion  of 
Dr.  Ilodgkin,)  to  carry  forward  these  objects.  Thanks 
having  been  voted  to  the  Chairman  for  his  able  services, 
the  meeting  Avas  adjourned  till  Wednesday,  10th  instaiit, 
at  eight  o'clock,  in  the  same  place. 

"At  a  subsequent  meeting,  which  was  addressed  by 
several  gentlemen,  a  deep  interest  was  expressed  in  the 
plan  and  success  of  the  American  Colonization  Society ; 
the  question  in  regard  to  a  petition  to  Parliament,  calling 
for  an  examination  into  the  condition  and  prospects  of 
tlie  settlements  in  Africa,  particularly  Liberia,  was  consi- 
dered, and  the  proposal  for  such  a  petition  approved. 
The  following  resolution  was  then  adopted : 

"  '  Resolved,    That  a  committee,   consisting   of    Dr. 
9* 


102  MISSION. 

Hodgkin,  Lieutenant  Colonel  H.  D.  Campbell,  A.  B. 
Wright,  Esq.,  Dr.  Costello,  Mr.  Fairburn,  Mr.  Guest,  Mr. 
Laird,  Mr.  P.  Vaughan,  D.  Lister,  Esq.,  and  Mr.  G.  Ral- 
ston, be  appointed,  with  power  to  add  to  their  number, 
for  the  purpose  of  properly  framing  the  petition,  and  of 
waiting  on  Lord  John  Russell,  with  a  request  that  he 
would  present  it,  and,  generally,  to  carry  out  the  objects 
of  this  meeting.' " 

A  more  extended  report  of  the  proceedings  of  these 
meetings  was  published  in  the  London  Blorning  Chroni- 
cle of  the  19th  of  February,  from  which  I  present  a  few 
extracts,  having  taken  the  liberty  to  correct  two  or  three 
errors. 

Says  the  Chronicle,  "  These  meetings  commenced  on 
the  28th  and  29th  of  January,  when  Mr.  Gurley  pro- 
ceeded to  explain  his  views,  on  each  occasion,  to  a 
highly  respectable  meeting,  over  which  D.  Lister,  Esq., 
presided,  and  which  was  attended,  among  other  gentle- 
men, by  Lieutenant  Colonel  H.  Dundas  Campbell,  (late 
Governor  of  Sierra  Leone,)  Dr.  Hodgkin,  Dr.  Costello, 
Elliott  Cresson,  Esq.,  A.  B.  Wright,  Esq.,  Petty  Vaughan, 
Esq.,  F.  T.  Texugo,  Esq.,  (a  Portuguese,)  &c.,  &c. 
There  were  also  many  ladies  present.  During  the 
second  meeting,  Mr.  John  Scoble,  an  accredited  agent  of 
the  Anti-slavery  Society,  took  exception  at  some  of  the 
statements  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gurley,  and  challenged  him 
to  a  public  discussion.  The  challenge  was  accepted, 
and  the  debate  commenced  on  the  Monday  following, 
(February  1st,)  Mr.  Lister  again  presiding,  and  the  meeting 
being  attended  as  before.  Mr.  Scoble's  main  argument — 
one  supported,  we  believe,  by  very  many  persons  anxious 
for  the  total  and  immediate  extinction  of  slavery — 
was,  that   the   scheme  of  the  American   Society,  though 


STATEMENT  OF  COL.  CAMPBELL.  103 

very  good  in  itself,  was  in  fact  calculated  to  prolong  the 
evil,  by  turning  the  public  attention  away  from  the  hor- 
rors of  slavery,  and  exciting  their  hopes  of  its  gradual 
extinction  by  means  of  African  colonization.  Mr.  Gur- 
ley'ri  speeches  consisted  of  a  vindication  of  the  princi- 
ples and  practice  of  the  Society  :  their  general  effect,  as 
far  as  the  exposition  of  interesting  facts  goes,  is  given 
below  in  a  report  of  a  speech  delivered  on  a  subsequent 
evening.  This  meeting  was  adjourned  to  the  3d,  when 
the  debate  was  renewed ;  but  at  the  close,  Mr.  Scoble, 
offended  at  the  course  of  the  Chairman,  (which  the  meet- 
ing afterwards  sustained,)  left  the  platform  Avithout  ap- 
pointing a  day  for  the  continuation  of  the  discussion. 
The  meeting,  however,  agreed  to  resolutions  exonerating 
the  American  Colonization  Society  from  the  charge  of 
being  patrons,  directly  or  indirectly,  of  slavery,  and 
declaring  the  Society  deserving  of  high  approbation,  as 
contributing,  together  with  the  colony  of  Liberia,  essen- 
tially to  the  suppression  of  the  African  slave  trade  and 
the  civilization  of  Africa." 

"At  one  of  these  meetings.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Camp- 
bell said  that,  during  the  three  years  he  had  been  Go- 
vernor of  Sierra  Leone,  he  had  had  frequent  opportunities 
of  observing  persons  from  the  colony  of  Liberia,  and  he 
had  always  found  them  very  superior  in  intellect,  besides 
being  excellent  mechanics,  and  generally  very  m.oral  and 
well  conducted.  In  fact,  he  would  candidly  say  that  no 
persons  in  his  own  colony  equalled  them.  From  his 
knowledge  of  the  interior  of  Africa,  he  took  upon  him- 
self to  say,  that  it  was  by  the  establishment  of  such 
colonies  as  Liberia  that  civilization  would  be  effected 
there.  It  was  useless  to  send  out  Europeans  to  that 
coast;  the  climate  was  too  prejudicial  to  them.     It  was 


104  MISSION. 

the  colored  man  only  that  was  fit  for  those  regions. 
The  great  calumny,  that  the  black  man  was  incapable  of 
intellectual  eminence,  was  practically  refuted  both  at 
Sierra  Leone  and  at  Liberia.  Many  of  the  pilots  at 
Sierra  Leone  were  likewise  preachers,  and  he  could  truly 
say,  that  one  of  the  best  sermons  he  had  ever  heard  was 
preached  by  a  black  man,  on  the  occasion  of  his  (Go- 
vernor Campbell's)  departure  from  the  colony.  He 
tnisted  that  a  society,  similar  to  the  American  Society, 
would  be  establislied  in  England, 

"On  Wednesday,  the  lOlh,  an  adjourned  meeting  was 
held,  when  circumstances  prevented  Mr.  Lister  from  pre- 
siding, and  Dr.  Costello  took  the  chair. 

"•The  Rev.  K.  R.  Gurley  communicated  some  inter- 
esting facts  to  the  meeting  connected  with  his  own  pro- 
ceedings on  behalf  of  the  Society  in  this  country.  Prior 
to  doing  so,  however,  he  deprecated,  in  eloquent  and  feel- 
ing language,  the  possibility  of  a  recent  misunderstanding 
between  the  United  States  and  this  country,  leading  to 
the  horrors  of  war.  Nothing  would  give  liim  greater 
sorrow,  or  more  paralyze  his  strength  in  the  great  cause 
of  African  freedom  than  the  bare  prospect  of  a  war  be- 
tween that  country  in  which  his  chief  affections  lay,  and 
this,  the  mother  country,  to  which  she  owed  her  ancient 
associations,  her  literature,  her  institutions,  and  no  small 
part  of  her  renown,  hideed,  it  was  impossible  for  Chris- 
tians to  entertain  without  horror,  the  idea,  that  America 
and  England  —  countries  of  common  origin,  language, 
liberty,  literature,  and  religion  —  should  leap  into  a  war 
for  light  and  trivial  causes,  and  he  could  hardly  consider 
any  conduct  more  criminal,  than  that  of  those,  who  sought 
to  light  up  the  flame  of  discord  in  the  public  mind,  and 
ftxcite   the  passions  and  jealousies  of  the  two  nations. 


ORIGIN    OF    COLO.MZATION    SOCIETY.  10-5 

when  the  question  Avas  really  one  for  the  tribunal  of 
reason  and  justice  [hear,  hear,  hear].  He  [Mr.  Gurley] 
had  been  asked  since  his  arrival  in  England,  what  was 
the  origin  of  this  Society.  Ilis  answer  was,  that  the 
precise  origin  could  not  be  distinctly  stated,  as  the  project 
for  colonizing  Africa  with  free  people  of  color,  by  their 
own  consent,  had  been  conceived  in  different  parts  of  the 
United  States,  at  about  the  same  period  of  time.  Gran- 
ville Sharpc  and  Dr.  Fothergill,  in  England,  had  founded 
Sierra  Leone.  Dr.  Hopkins  and  Capt.  Cuffee,  of  New 
England,  had  favored  the  colonization  scheme  long  before 
the  origin  of  the  Colonization  Society.  In  1818,  the 
subject  received  attention  both  in  the  New  England  States 
and  from  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  Virginia ;  but 
the  first  mover  for  its  formation  was  the  venerable  Dr. 
Finley,  of  New  .Jersey,  who  visited  the  city  of  Washing- 
ton, consulted  a  number  of  distinguished  and  philanthropic 
men,*  and  held  meetings,  at  which  the  foundations  of 
the  Society  were  laid.  So  much  for  the  origin  of  the 
Society.  Since  its  establishment,  large  sums  had  been 
voluntarily  subscribed,  and,  adding  the  value  of  slaves 
emancipated  in  various  parts  of  the  Union,  the  amount 
given  to  the  cause  might  be  about  $1,400,000.  The 
Society  had  received  the  support  of  a  large  body  of  the 
most  intelligent  statesmen  of  America,  and  of  the  wisest 
and  best  men  throughout  the  United  States ;  and  he  did 
not  believe  that  there  was  an  American  present  who 
would  doubt  the  truth  of  his  statement,  that  seven-tenths 
of  the  wise  and  good  throughout  the  twenty-six  States, 

*  Among  whom  were  Hon.  C.  F.  Mercer,  F.  S.  Key,  Esq., 
Elias  B.  Caldwell,  Esq.,  (who  had  for  some  time  contemplated 
something  of  the  kind,)  Dr.  William  Thornton,  Mr.  Clay,  Chief 
Justice  Marshal,  Mr,  Webster,  and  others. 


106  MISSION. 

gave  their  support  to  this  institution,  as  the  best  which 
human  wisdom  could  devise,  for  securing  the  freedom 
and  elevating  tlie  character  of  the  colored  race.  Mr. 
Gurley  proceeded  to  say,  that  the  Society  had  been  for 
nearly  twenty  years  in  existence,  when  they  observed 
that  the  plan  of  Sir  Thomas  F.  Buxton  for  colonizing 
Africa  nearly  resembled  their  own,  and  they  accordingly 
sent  him  (Mr,  Gurley)  over  to  communicate  with  the 
English  Society ;  fearing  also,  that  unless  some  arrange- 
ments were  made  between  them,  the  territory  of  the^^two 
colonies  might  become  the  subject  of  dispute.  He  had 
an  interview  with  the  committee,  when  he  was  informed 
that  they  regarded  it  as  a  question  to  be  settled  by  the 
Governments  of  the  two  countries.  On  a  subsequent 
interview  with  Lord  John  Russell,  that  noble  lord,  after 
expressing  his  full  conrurrenre  in  the  objects  of  the  Soci- 
ety, and,  wisliing  it  all  prosperity,  promised  to  take  the 
subject  of  the  respective  jurisdictions  of  the  two  colonies 
under  his  consideration.  He  afterwards  had  an  interview 
with  Dr.  Lushington,  a  distinguished  member  of  the 
British  Civilization  Society.  There  was  nothing  to  pre- 
vent a  union  between  the  two  Societies,  seeing  that  their 
ultimate  objects  were  the  same. 

"  In  answer  to  questions  from  a  gentleman  in  the  body 
of  the  meeting, 

"  Mr.  Gurley  said,  that  he  did  not  conceive  any  question 
could  arise  between  the  British  Government  and  the  United 
States  as  to  dominion  over  the  colony.  The  Society 
had  repeatedly  sent  in  memorials  to  Congress  for  a  char- 
ter, but  none  had  been  granted.  It  had  obtained  a  charter 
however  from  the  State  of  Maryland.  Congress  had  done 
l)ut  little  for  them  except  by  selecting  Liberia  as  a  depot 
for  re-captured  Africans.     Tliis,  though  it  had  proved  of 


RESULT  OF  DEBATE.  107 

much  service  to  the  colony,  did  not,  he  apprehended, 
involve  the  question  of  right. 

"  After  eloquent  speeches  from  Mr.  Texugo  and  Col. 
Campbell, 

"  Dr.  Hodgkin  addressed  the  meeting  in  an  able  speech, 
in  which  he  combated  the  argument  against  this  scheme 
of  colonization.  Tlie  learned  gentleman,  who  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Society  of  Friends,  concluded  by  reading  a 
letter  from  Mr.  Buchanan,  Governor  of  Liberia,  bearing 
strong  testunony  to  tlie  prosperity  and  usefulness  of  the 
colony. 

"  A  petition  to  the  House  of  Commons  was  then  sug- 
gested ;  but,  in  consequence  of  the  lateness  of  the  hour, 
the  discussion  was  adjoui'ned  until  the  meeting  of  the 
Society,  on  Wednesday  evening  next,  at  eight  o'clock." 

Considering  the  war  which  for  many  years  had  been 
waged  in  England  against  the  American  Colonization 
Society,  the  judgment  of  a  very  intelligent  English  audi- 
ence pronounced  in  its  favor,  after  six  evenings  of  dis- 
cussion and  debate,  was  not  less  gratifying  than  unex- 
pected. I  was  convinced,  that  could  the  facts  and  merits 
of  the  case  be  fully  and  fairly  exhibited  to  the  people  of 
that  kingdom,  the  opinion  of  the  great  majority  would 
also  have  been  pronounced  in  its  favor.  At  the  last  meet- 
ing, an  enthusiastic  desire  was  expressed  by  several  gen- 
tlemen, that  an  adjournment  should  take  place  to  Exeter 
Hall,  as  the  central  and  ample  and  usual  place  for  deliver- 
ing the  messages  and  sounding  forth  the  doctrines  of 
humanity  to  the  vast  community  of  enlightened  minds 
in  Great  Britain.  But  I  had  been  left  without  means  of 
following  up  the  auspicious  movements  at  Egyptian  Hall, 
and  of  opening  a  way  for  a  cause  which  I  thought  it  both 


108  MISSION. 

a  privilege  ami  honor  to  plead,  to  the  reason,  conscience, 
and  affections  of  that  reflecting  and  magnanimous  nation. 

Soon  after  the  lectures  and  debate  in  Egyptian  Hall, 
the  writer  learned  incidentally,  from  an  American  friend 
then  in  London,  that  he  was  no  longer  officially  connect- 
ed with  the  Colonization  Society.  lie  observed,  also, 
some  time  afterwards,  in  a  copy  of  the  annual  report  of 
the  Society,  that  the  late  lamented  Dr.  John  Brecken- 
ridge  had  been  appointed  to  the  office  of  Secretary,  and 
in  the  report  of  the  Executive  Committee,  discovered  the 
following  notice  of  his  mission  : 

"  It  was  deemed  important  to  send  an  agent  to  Eng- 
land, for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  assurances  from  the 
British  African  societies  and  trading  companies,  that  they 
would  not  encroach  on  the  territory  embraced  within  the 
present  limits  of  Liberia. 

"Mr.  Gurley  was  selected  by  your  boaid  for  the  per- 
fonuance  of  this  duty.  In  carrying  out  this  appointment, 
the  Executive  Committee  instructed  him  to  confine  him- 
self to  collecting  information  in  regard  to  the  British 
policy  in  Africa,  to  inducing  them  to  abstain  from  en- 
croaching on  the  territory  adjacent  to  our  settlements, 
and  difiusing  information  in  regard  to  the  true  character, 
operations,  and  practical  results  of  the  American  Coloni- 
zation Society.  Before  the  expiration  of  the  time  which 
your  board  allowed  Mr  Gurley  for  his  visit,  he  asked  the 
committee  to  extend  it.  This  they  did  not  feel  authorized 
to  do.  Mr.  Gurley,  however,  has  not  returned  to  this 
country,  nor  has  he  informed  us  how  far  he  has  succeeded 
in  accomplishing  the  object  of  his  visit." 

His  astonishment  at  this  passage  Avill  not  be  thought 
surprising,  when  it  is  seen  that  he  communicated  prompt- 


AMEXDMEXT  OF  JMINUTES.  109 

ly  to  the  Committee  and  Directors,  full  reports  of  his 
proceedings ;  that  no  limit  to  the  term  of  his  mission 
was  mentioned  in  the  resolutions  of  his  appointment; 
that  he  had  solicited  no  extension  of  time,  but  merely 
stated  his  opinion,  that,  if  great  results  were  expected, 
the  stay  of  an  agent  must  be  prolonged  for  several 
months,  if  not  for  a  year ;  and,  finally,  that  his  letters 
(the  last  excepted)  had  all  been  transmitted  in  season  for 
their  arrival  on  or  before  the  anniversaiy  of  the  Society. 
As  he  could  not  find  among  his  papers  a  copy  of  the 
resolutions  authorizing  the  mission,  (the  sum  of  which 
was  embodied  in  his  commission,)  the  Avords  "  time  al- 
lowed by  your  Board,"  used  by  the  Committee,  made 
him  for  a  moment  half  distrust  his  memory,  and  he  wrote 
forthwith  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Society  at  Washington, 
requesting  that  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  might  be 
sent  to  the  Commercial  Advertiser  for  publication,  in  con- 
nection with  a  letter  correcting  the  errors  in  the  Com- 
mittee's statement.  Far  greater  was  his  astonishment  on 
the  receipt  of  the  paper  containing  this  letter,  (of  April 
1st,)  to  find  the  following  appended  to  the  resolutions  of 
the  Directors  : 

"  Extract  from  minutes  of  the  Boai-d  of  Dec,  1840 : 
"  Mr.  Phelps  stated  that  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Gurley 
to  go  on  a  mission  to  England,  was  expressly  limited  to 
four  months  ;  that  this  limitation  formed  a  part  of  the  au- 
thority for  his  mission  ;  and  therefore  moved  that  the  mi- 
nutes be  amended  so  as  to  make  them  conform  to  the  fact. 
"  The  motion  was  agreed  to  nem  con.^  and  the  minutes 
were  ordered  to  be  amended  accordingly." 

Observe,  First.  This  motion  of  Mr.  Phelps  was  made 
six  months,  Avanting  three  days,  after  the  adoption  of  the 
resolutions  which  it  Avas  designed  to  amend. 
10 


110  MISSIOX. 

Second.  At  the  passage  of  the  original  resolutions, 
there  were  present  seven  Directors  entitled  to  vote,  and 
at  the  passage  of  tho  amendment,  five;  but  four  of  those 
present  at  the  adoption  of  the  former,  were  absent  when 
the  amendment  was  adopted;  and  tioo  who  were  absent 
in  the  former  case,  were  present  in  the  latter,  three  only 
having  been  present  on  both  occasions. 

Third.  Hence  it  is  evident,  that  three  persons  assume 
to  decide  that  seven.,  about  six  months  before,  had  failed 
to  express  their  meaning  in  their  resolutions,  and  proceed 
to  amend  such  resolutions.  This  ex  post  facto  correction 
by  a  minority  of  the  acts  of  a  majority,  may  ^sometimes 
serve  purposes  of  convenience,  never  of  justice  or  honor. 
In  Parliamentary  assemblies,  "  On  information  of  a  mis- 
entry  or  omission  of  an  entry  m  a  journal,  a  committee 
may  be  appointed  to  examine  and  rectify  it,  and  report  to 
the  house ;  "  and  the  rule  of  the  Congress  of  the  United 
States  is,  that  even  a  motion  for  reconsideration  must 
originate  with  one  who  voted  with  the  majority,  and  within 
three  days  after  tlie  passage  of  the  act  or  resolution  relVr- 
red  to,  in  such  motion. 

Fourth.  Notice  of  this  amendment  was  never  tran.s- 
mitted  to  me  ;  nor  was  I  honored  with  any  communica- 
tion relating  to  the  proceedings  of  the  annual  meeting, 
or  to  any  other  subject,  (as  I  have  already  stated,)  from 
the  Directors,  after  I  left  the  country. 

Thus  in  a  foreign  land,  engaged  in  a  great  work,  to 
which  the  writer  had  been  delegated,  was  he  suddenly 
and  unexpectedly  abandoned  by  those  from  whom  he  had 
received  his  commission,  and  cast  off  from  an  institution, 
to  which,  the  ardent  enthusiasm  of  his  youth,  and  the  best 
powers  of  his  manhood,  had  been  devoted  ;  to  Avhich  in 
the  weakness  and  dawn  of  its  being,  he  had  consecrated 


CONDUCT  OF  THE  TIMES.  Ill 

all  his  abilities  and  exertions ;  which  he  had  advocated 
and  defended  in  nearly  every  State  and  city  of  the  Union  ; 
stood  by  in  every  hour  of  trial,  and  had  the  happiness  to 
see  rising,  from  what  might  be  termed,  little  more  than  a 
seminal  principle,  to  a  strength  and  dignity  sharing  the 
confidence  and  commanding  the  respect  of  the  nation. 
The  effect  upon  himself  gave  him  little  disturbance,  lie 
feared  nothing  for  his  interest  or  reputation.  ,  But  he  was 
deeply  mortified  to  find  himself  unsustained  by  those 
whose  highest  duty  to  a  great  cause  was  to  have  sus- 
"  tained  him,  at  an  hour  when  the  light  was  breaking  upon 
him,  and  every  thing  promised  success.  He  abated  no- 
tliing  of  heart  or  hope.  He  applied  with  new  vigor  to  his 
task,  regardless  of  what  might  be,  in  future,  his  official 
relations  to  the  Society,  provided  only,  he  might  effectu- 
ally contribute  to  cement  a  more  perfect  union,  and  pro- 
duce a  friendly  co-operation  between  the  philanthropists 
of  England  and  America  in  the  African  cause. 

In  reply  to  the  Times,  (a  newspaper  unfortunately  of 
vast  influence)  which  had  published  remarks  impeaching 
the  motives  of  the  Colonization  Society,  and  the  charac- 
ter of  Liberia,  I  addressed  a  letter  to  the  editor,  proving 
the  opposition  both  of  the  Society  and  the  colony  to  the 
slave  trade,  and  that  their  tendency  was,  both  in  America 
and  Africa,  to  benefit  every  class  of  the  African  race. 
This  editor,  regardless  of  courtesy,  commented  on  this 
letter,  but  refused  to  publish  it.  The  Morning  Post  readily 
inserted  in  its  columns  my  original  letter  to  the  Times, 
also  a  reply  to  the  comments  of  that  journal.  I  venture 
to  offer  to  the  public,  extracts  from  these  letters,  especially 
for  the  sake  of  the  quotations  from  the  writings  of  some 
of  the  founders  of  the  American  Colonization  Society, 
which  reveal  the  purity  of  their  motives  and  the  extent 
and  comprehensiveness  of  their  views. 


112  MISSIO.V. 

"  The  late  Judge  Washington,  the  first  President  of  the 
Society,  in  his  address  at  its  first  anniversary,  among 
other  things,  said, '  an  eflbrt  has  been  made  to  prejudice  the 
minds  of  the  free  people  of  color  against  this  institution, 
which  had  its  origin,  it  is  believed,  in  an  honest  desire  to 
promote  their  happiness.  A  suggestion  has  been  made 
to  them,  which  this  Society  disclaims  by  the  terms  of  its 
constitution,  that  they  are  to  be  constrained  to  migrate  to 
the  country  which  may  be  selected  for  the  seat  of  our 
colony.  No  suspicion  can  be  more  unfounded.  It  is 
sanctioned  by  no  declarations  or  acts  of  this  Society,  from 
Avhich  alone  our  intentions  can  be  candidly  inferred.' 
He  adds,  '  The  effect  of  this  institution,  if  its  prosperity 
shall  equal  our  wishes,  will  be  alike  propitious  to  every 
interest  of  our  domestic  society ;  and  should  it  lead,  as 
we  may  fairly  hope  it  will,  to  the  slow  but  gradual  aboli- 
tion of  slavery,  it  will  wipe  away  from  our  political  insti- 
tutions the  only  blot  which  stains  them,  and  in  pallia- 
tion of  -which  we  shall  not  be  at  liberty  to  plead  the 
excuse  of  moral  necessity  until  we  shall  have  honestly 
exerted  all  the  means  \ve  possess  for  its  extinction.' 

"  In  the  appendix  to  the  first  annual  report  of  the  So- 
ciety, Avill  be  found  a  letter  from  General  Harper,  in 
which  he  unfolds  the  humanity  of  the  scheme,  and  its 
vast  beneficence  to  America,  to  the  free  people  of  color, 
to  the  slaves,  by  opening  the  way  and  offering  induce- 
ments to  emancipation  ;  to  all  civilized  and  commercial 
nations,  in  the  resources  it  must  develop  and  the  enter- 
prize  it  must  awaken ;  and  finally  alludes  to  a  higher 
good  which  he  trusts  will  be  accomplished. 

"  '  The  greatest  benefit,'  he  observes, '  however,  to  be 
hoped  for,  from  this  enterprize,  that  which  in  contempla- 
tion most  delights  the  philanthropic  mind,  still  remains  to 
be  unfolded.     It  is  the  benefit  to  Africa  herself,  from  this 


LAXGl'AOE  OF  GEXERAI,  HARPER.        113 

return  of  her  sons  to  her  bosom,  beavinj^  with  them  arts, 
knowledge,  and  civilization,  to  which  she  has  hitherto 
been  a  stranger.  Cast  your  eyes  on  this  vast  continent. 
You  see  there  iunuuicrable  tribes  and  nations  of  black?, 
niikl  and  humane  in  their  dispositions,  sufficiently  intelli- 
gent, robust,  active,  and  vigorous,  not  averse  from  labor 
or  wholly  ignorant  of  agriculture,  and  possessing  some 
knowledge  of  the  ruder  arts,  which  minister  to  the  first 
wants  of  civilized  man.  You  see  a  soil  generally  fertile, 
a  climate  healthy  for  the  natives,  and  a  miglity  river, 
which  rolls  its  waters  through  vast  regions,  inhabited  by 
these  tribes,  and  seems  destined  by  an  all-wise  and  beneli- 
cent  Providence  one  day  to  connect  them  with  each  other, 
and  all  of  them  with  the  rest  of  the  world  in  the  relations 
of  commerce  and  friendly  intercourse.  What  a  field  is 
here  presented  for  the  blessings  of  civilization  and  Chris- 
tianity, which  colonies  of  civilized  blacks  afford  the  best, 
and  probal)ly,  the  only  means  of  introducing !  These 
colonies,  composed  of  blacks  already  instructed  in  the 
arts  of  civilized  life  and  the  truths  of  the  Gospel,  judi- 
ciously placed,  well  conducted,  and  constantly  enlarged, 
will  extend  gradually  into  the  interior,  will  form  com- 
mercial and  political  connections  with  the  native  tribes  in 
their  vicinity,  will  incorporate  many  of  the  natives  with 
the  colonies,  and  in  their  turn  make  establishments  and 
settlements  among  the  natives,  and  thus  difRise  all  around 
the  arts  of  civilization  and  the  benefits  of  literary,  moral, 
and  religious  instruction.' 

•'  In  this  letter,  written  in  1S17,  before  a  solitary  agent 
of  the  Society  had  explored  the  African  coast,  and  long 
before  the  course  of  the  Niger  to  its  termination  was 
discovered,  General  Harper  urges  that  in  the  selection  of 
a  site  for  the  proposed  colony,  regard  should  be  had  to 
10* 


114  MISSIO.V. 

llie  '  facility  of  communication  with  the  Niger,  that  river 
which  seems  destined  to  supply  the  link  of  connection 
between  the  interior  of  Africa  and  the  civilized  world ;' 
and  after  tracing  what  he  imagined  might  be  the  progress 
of  civilization  and  commerce  on  the  one  side,  up  some 
Atlantic  stream  to  near  the  head  waters  of  the  Niger,  and 
on  the  other,  should  that  river  flow  into  the  sea,  up  to  its 
highest  navigable  point,  he  adds — 'At  last  these  two 
branches  would  meet,  and  unite  in  a  commerce  vast  as  the 
stream  on  which  it  would  be  borne,  and  as  the  continent 
it  would  civilize,  enlighten,  and  adorn.' 

"  Can  any  honest  and  unprejudiced  mind  doubt  that 
tliis  publication  of  General  Harper  proves  tliat,  instead 
of '  the  American  Colonization  Society  and  the  American 
colony  being  simply  devices  of  slave-masters  to  get  rid 
of  the  free  colored  population,'  the  plan  of  the  Society 
originally  comprehended,  in  the  wide  circuit  of  its  phi- 
lanthropy and  beneficence,  the  whole  African  race,  and 
the  moral  and  intellectual  renovation  of  one  quarter  of 
the  globe  ?  In  saying  that  the  scheme  of  Sir  T.  F.  Bux- 
ton, is  in  the  main,  but  a  republication  of  that  of  the 
American  Colonization  Society,  I  must  not  be  considered 
as  detracting  from  his  merits.  Probably  he  never  saw, 
until  recently,  the  early  publications  of  the  Colonization 
Society,  and  certainly,  to  win  the  approbation  of  the  Eng- 
lish Government  to  the  scheme,  and  secure  ample  means 
for  demonstrating  its  practicablcness  and  wisdom,  is  in 
the  highest  degree  meritorious.  But  who,  knowing  that 
this  letter  of  General  Harper  was  published  in  the  first  and 
second  reports  of  the  Colonization  Society,  as  comprising 
the  general  views  of  the  institution,  will  presume  to  deny 
to  thera  an  extended  and  dignified  humanity  ? 

"  Having  surveyed  the  grandeur  of  the  project  in  its 


GRANDEUR  OF  COLONIZATION   SCHEME.  115 

remote  results,  General  Harper  adds — 'Ages  indeed  may 
be  required  for  tlie  lull  attainment  of  these  objects.  Unto- 
ward events  or  unforseen  difficulties  may  retard  or  defeat 
them ;  but  the  prospect,  hoAvever  remote  or  uncertain,  is 
still  animating,  and  the  hope  of  success  seems  sufficient  to 
stimulate  us  to  the  utmost  exertion.  IIow  vast  and  sub- 
lime a  career  does  this  undertaking  open  to  a  generous 
ambition,  aspiring  to  deathless  fame  by  great  and  useful 
actions !  Who  can  count  the  millions  that  in  future 
times  shall  know  and  bless  the  names  of  those  by  whom 
this  magnificent  scheme  of  beneficence  and  philanthropy 
has  been  conceived  and  shall  be  carried  into  execution .' 
Throughout  the  widely  extended  regions  of  middle  and 
southern  Africa,  then  filled  with  populous  and  polished 
nations,  their  memories  shall  be  celebrated  and  their 
praises  sung,  v,-hen  other  states,  and  even  the  flourishing 
and  vigorous  nation  to  which  they  belong,  now  in  its 
flower  of  youth,  shall  have  run  their  round  of  rise,  gran- 
deur, and  decay,  and  like  the  founders  of  Palmyra,  Tyre, 
Babylon,  Mernpliis,  and  Thebes,  shall  no  longer  be  known 
except  by  vague  reports,  of  tlieir  former  greatness,  or  by 
some  fragments  of  those  works  of  art,  the  monuments  of 
tlieir  taste,,  their  power,  or  their  pride,  which  they  may 
have  left  behind.' 

"  This  may  be  thought  the  language  of  poetry ;  if  you 
please,  of  rhapsody,  but  is  wholly  unlike  that  of  men  de- 
vising a  scheme  simply  to  get  rid  of  the  free  blacks,  in 
order  to  strengthen  and  perpetuate  the  system  of  slavery. 
And,  surely,  while  I  might  fill  your  columns  with  opinions 
and  sentiments  equally  benevolent  and  lofty,  from  the 
early  reports  and  documents  of  the  Colonization  Society, 
no  one  acquainted  with  these  will  asperse  this  Society 
without  exposing  himself  justly  both  to  ridicule  and 
indiffnation. 


116  MISSION". 

'•'  111  Liberia  we  see  a  small  but  prosperous  communily, 
or  state,  of  enterprising  men  of  color,  mostly  seli-gov- 
(!rnecl,  with  churches,  schools,  the  press,  and  all  the  ele- 
ments of  a  well  ordered  Christian  society,  binding  to 
it  in  commerce  and  amity  many  barljarous  tribes,  and 
already  extending  over  several  himdred  miles  of  coast 
the  benignant  influence  of  its  manners,  laws,  and  religion. 
In  proof  of  the  correctness  of  this  statement,  I  enclose  a 
letter  from  Capt.  Stoll,  of  the  Royal  navy,  to  that  excel- 
lent philanthropist.  Dr.  Thomas  Ilodgkin,  which  I  trust 
you  will  do  me  the  favor  to  publish,  in  connection  with 
this  communication. 

''  The  world  seldom  witnesses  a  scheme,  however  wise 
and  great,  against  which  ingenious  men  may  not  discover 
jilausible  objection.  But  after  reflection  for  many  years 
on  the  subject,  I  am  happy  to  avow  the  belief  that  no 
greater  or  holier  undertaking  e^'cr  summoned  to  its  aid 
the  philanthropy  or  Government  of  England,  than  that 
proposed  by  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton ;  especially,  if  in  its  execu- 
tion, reliance  be  mainly  placed  upon  the  estaljlishment  of 
conmiunities  of  free  persons  of  color,  destined  to  an  in- 
dependent, social,  and  national  existence,  and  which,  by 
models  of  political  wisdom,  of  just  laws,  of  literary  and 
otiier  instructive  institutions,  and  of  a  pure  faith,  shall 
tend  to  recover  Africa  from,  barbarism  to  civilization,  lii)- 
erty  and  Christianity." 

Having  adduced  evidence  not  to  be  discredited  or  set 
aside  by  any  ingenuity  or  perverseness,  of  the  influence 
of  the  example,  laws,  and  acts  of  Liberia,  against  the  slave 
trade,  in  my  letter  to  the  Morning  Post,  I  noticed  briefly 
some  objections  to  the  Colonization  Society,  as  urged  by 
the  Ti77ics,  In  the  following  terms  : 

"  The  gentlemen  of  the  Times  imagine  that  because 
by  the  constitution,  the  Society  is  limited  to  tlie  coloni- 


REMARKS  0\  THE  TIMES.  117 

zation  of  the  (vee,  and  may  colonize  in  Africa,  or  else- 
Mdiere,  the  design  of  the  Society  is  one  of  inliunianity  to 
the  slaves,  and  concerns  Africa  as  little  as  any  other 
quiirter  of  the  globe.  But  is  there  any  one  who  does  not 
discern  the  distinction  between  a  sjiccijic  and  a  general 
object,  a  subordinate  and  ultimate  end  ?  The  specific 
object  of  the  Bible  Society  is  to  circulate  the  Scriptures 
without  note  or  comment;  the  general  object,  the  tem- 
poral and  spiritual  good  of  men ;  the  subordinate  end, 
the  diffusion  of  Divine  knowledge;  the  ultimate  one, the 
eternal  salvation  of  mankind.  It  were  as  reasonable  to 
say  that  the  object  of  the  Bible  Society  is  simply  to 
distribute  so  many  printed  sheets,  as  to  say  that  the  Colo- 
nization Society's  object  is  simply  the  removal  of  the 
free  colored  people  of  the  United  States ;  as  reasonable  to 
interpret  the  design  of  the  Bible  Society  to  be  the  ad- 
vancement of  physical  science  no  less  than  of  moral  truth, 
as  to  interpret  that  of  the  Colonization  Society  to  be  the 
benefit  of  other  countries  no  less  than  Africa.  And  it  is 
remarkable  that  the  Times,  to  prove  this  Society  a  selfish 
device  of  southern  slaveholders,  quotes  as  the  language 
of  the  first  memorial  of  the  Society  to  Congress,  what  is 
not  to  be  found  in  that  memorial. 

"  It  would  be  easy  to  show  that  the  fathers  of  the  Colo- 
nization Society,  before  its  origin,  urged,  as  reasons  for 
its  formation,  not  only  the  benefits  it  would  confer  upon 
the  free  people  of  color  and  upon  the  slaves,  but,  above 
all,  the  mighty  consequences  of  the  scheme  in  the  sup- 
pression of  the  slave  trade  and  the  civilization  of  Africa ; 
that  at  the  time  of  its  formation,  these  reasons  were 
earnestly  and  eloquently  enforced  by  nearly  every  advo- 
cate of  the  plan.  And  what  is  the  language  of  that  first 
memorial  of  the  American  Colonization  Society  to  Con- 


113  MISSIOiX. 

gress,  from  which  the  Times  quotes  words  not  to  be  dis- 
covered in  the  copy  before  mc  ? 

"'Your  memorialists  beg  leave,  M^th  all  deference,  to 
suggest,  that  the  fairest  and  most  inviting  oj^iortunities  are 
now  presented  to  the  general  Government  for  repairing  a 
great  evil  in  our  social  and  political  institutions,  and  at 
the  same  time  for  elevating,  from  a  low  and  hopeless  con- 
dition, a  numerous  and  rapidly  increasing  race  of  men, 
who  want  nothing  but  a  proper  tlieatre  to  enter  upon  the 
pursuit  of  happiness  and  independence  in  tlie  ordinary 
paths  which  a  benign  Providence  has  left  open  to  the 
human  race.'  Again,  in  the  same  memorial,  '  It  may  be 
reserved  for  our  Government  (the  first  to  denounce  an 
inhuman  and  abominable  trafllc,  in  the  guilt  and  disgrace 
of  which  most  of  the  civilized  nations  of  the  Avorld  were 
partakers)  to  become  the  honorable  instrument,  under 
divine  Providence,  of  conferring  a  still  higher  blessing 
upon  that  large  and  interesting  portion  of  mankind,  bene- 
fitted by  that  deed  of  justice ;  by  demonstrating  that  a 
race  of  men,  composing  numerous  tribes,  spread  over  a 
continent  of  vast  and  unexplored  extent,  fertility,  and 
riches,  unknown  to  the  enlightened  nations  of  antiquity, 
and  who  had  yet  made  no  progress  in  the  refinements  of 
civilization ;  for  whom  history  has  preserved  no  monu- 
ments of  arts  or  arms,  that  even  this  hitherto  ill-fated 
race  may  cherish  the  hope  of  beholding  at  least  the  orient 
star  revealing  the  best  and  highest  aims  and  attributes  of 
man.  Out  of  such  materials  to  rear  the  glorious  edi- 
fice of  well  ordered  and  polished  society,  on  the  deep 
and  sure  foundations  of  equal  laws  and  difiusive  education, 
would  give  a  sufficient  title  to  be  enrolled  among  the 
illustrious  benefactors  of  mankind,  while  itafibrded  a  pre- 
cious and  consolatory  evidence  of  the  all  prevailing  power 


REMARKS  ON  THE  TIMES.  119 

of  liberty,  enlightened  by  knowledge  and  corrected  by  reli- 
gion.' But  1  might  quote  volumes.  The  lanoruao-e  of 
General  Harper,  in  my  letter  to  the  Times,  is  pertinent  and 
conclusive  on  the  question  of  the  enlarged  philanthropy 
of  tlie  Colonization  Society.  Plainly,  the  editor  of  the 
Times  knows  little  of  the  Colonization  Society,  and  no- 
thing, I  apprehend,  as  he  ought  to  know.  Instead  of  this 
Society  being  sustained  by  the  southern  States,  with  a 
view  to  '  establish,  build  up,  and  confirm'  slavery,  as  the 
Times  alleges,  the  Colonization  Society  of  Maryland  has 
avowed  its  object  to  be  the  extirpation  of  slavery  in  that 
State,  while  the  legislature  have  appropriated  two  hundred 
thousand  dollars  for  its  benefit ;  and  from  personal  observa- 
tion and  inquiry  in  nearly  all  the  southern  States,  I  affirm, 
that  the  true  friends  of  the  slave  population,  those  who 
desire  their  ultimate  freedom  and  elevation,  are  friends  of 
the  Colonization  Societj'-,  while  all  the  advocates  of  per- 
petual slavery  are  its  opponents.  This  mighty  scheme  of 
beneficence  rests  upon  the  general  sound  opinion  of  the 
American  people,  like  their  own  union,  assailed  on  the 
one  side  by  tlie  intolerant  and  despotic  fierceness  of 
northern  abolitionism  (many  good  mistaken  men  doubt- 
less act  under  this  banner,)  and,  on  the  other,  by  those 
who  would  perpetuate  what  they  deem  the  necessary, 
patriarchal,  apostolic  institution  of  slavery.  The  union 
of  the  friends  of  unlimited  slavery  and  the  advocates  of 
immediate  unconditional  and  universal  emancipation  in 
America,  against  the  sober,  practical,  and  most  benevolent 
scheme  of  colonization,  resembles  the  coalition  of  the 
Chartists  and  the  Times  to  overthrow  the  African  Civili- 
zation Sociey.  If  the  arguments  of  the  Chartists  be  sound, 
that  all  evils  must  be  remedied  at  home  before  any  be 
attempted  for  those  abroad,  as  urged  against  the  Civiliza- 


120  MISSIO.V, 

Society,  that  of  the  Times  against  the  Colonization  So- 
ciety, grounded  upon  the  existence  of  the  slave  trade 
between  the  southern  States,  may  have  some  plausibility. 
But  the  argument  is  as  valid  against  Bible  and  Missionary 
Societies  in  England  or  America,  as  against  either  the 
Civilization  or  Colonization  Societies.  The  moral  influ- 
ence of  the  scheme  of  colonization  is  operating  in  all 
directions  for  the  good  of  the  colored  race,  and  thus  to 
remedy  every  evil  to  Avhich  any  portion  of  that  race  in 
America  or  Africa  is  at  present  subjected. 

"I  have  much  confidence  in  the  sober,  matured  judg- 
ment of  the  people  of  England.  On  the  subject  of  the 
Colonization  Society  and  American  slavery,  they  are  to  a 
great  extent  in  error,  but  this  will  be  dispelled  b}^  reason, 
truth  and  time." 

The  London  Patriot,  conducted  Ijy  Josiah  Condar, 
Esq.,  is  patronized  generally  by  the  Congregationalists  of 
England,  as  a  weekly  journal  of  a  highly  moral  and  reli- 
gious character.  The  letter  addressed  to  me  by  Sir 
Thomas  F.  Buxton  was,  nearly  at  the  time  I  was  favored 
with  an  introduction  to  the  General  Committee  of  the 
African  Civilization  Society,  and  after  the  reply  to  it  had 
been  placed  in  the  hands  of  its  author,  inserted  sepa- 
rately from  the  other  portions  of  the  correspondence,  in 
this  paper ;  and  the  editor  took  occasion  to  express  his 
hostility  to  the  Colonization  Society.  A  brief  answer 
was  admitted  into  the  Patriot,  and  the  charges  against 
the  Society  renewed.  But  the  editor  declined  to  do 
me  the  justice  of  publishing  the  entire  correspondence 
with  Mr.  Buxton,  or  even  to  insert  the  following  letter, 
while  the  Morning  Post,  with  a  liberality  to  which  I 
had  previously  been  indebted,  promptly  placed  in  its 
columns. 


LETTER  TO  THE   PATRIOT.  121 

"  To  the  Editor  of  the  London  Patriot. 

"Sir  :  I  thank  you  for  the  publication  of  my  l)iicf  let- 
ter on  the  Colonization  and  Civilization  Societies  in  your 
paper  of  the  10th  instant.  More  liberal  than  the  Titnes^ 
which  published  comments  on  a  communication  it  sup- 
pressed, you  have  given  the  text  and  commentary  toge- 
ther ;  yet,  like  that,  you  resolve  to  withhold  from  your 
readers  any  refutation,  should  such  appear,  of  your  errors 
in  fact  and  in  argument.  But,  sir,  the  Patriot  and  the 
Times  together  cannot  hide  the  light  of  truth  more  than 
that  of  the  sun  from  the  world.  It  will  break  out  on 
the  subject  of  the  Colonization  Society  and  Liberia,  over 
this  kingdom  as  day  upon  night,  described  incomparably 
by  Shakspeare,  and  which  is  strikingly  emblematic  of 
the  changes  to  be  produced  by  colonization  in  the  intel- 
lectual and  moral  condition  of  Africa  : 

"  '  When  the  searching  eye  of  Heaven  is  hid 
Behind  the  globe,  and  lights  the  lower  world, 
Then  thieves  and  robbers  range  abroad  unseen, 
In  murders  and  in  outrage  bloody  here  ; 
But  when  from  under  this  terrestrial  ball 
He  fires  the  proud  tops  of  the  eastern  pines, 
And  darts  his  light  through  every  guilty  hole. 
Then  murders,  treasons,  and  detested  sins. 
The  cloak  of  night  being  pluck'd  from  oti'  their  backs. 
Stand  bare  and  naked,  trembling  at  themselves.' 

"  I  apprehend  it  may,  then,  be  evident,  that  Christian 
men  in  England  have  cherished  prejudices  against  their 
American  brethren,  quite  as  inexcusable  as  any  prejudice 
against  color — that  they  have  misrepresented  facts  and 
arguments  for  what  they  deemed  righteousness'  sake,  and 
bound  down  character  and  reputation  upon  the  iron  bed 
of  their  own  imagined  infallible  opinion,  to  try  and  tor- 
ture, to  acquit  or  condemn,  as  they  find  the  subject  of 
11 


122  Missiox. 

their  inquisition  to  agree  Avith  or  differ  from  their  dogmas 
touching  the  best  means  of  advancing  the  freedom  and 
liappiness  of  the  colored  race.  On  this  subject,  so  com- 
plex, so  vast,  so  difficult,  it  will  be  seen,  I  think,  that 
their  conduct  is  sanctioned  neither  by  sound  philosophy 
nor  the  genius  of  Christianity ;  that  they  set  aside  the 
art  of  persuasion,  and  discard  alike  apostolic  example 
and  express  Divine  precepts.  Truth  forbid  that  I  should 
palliate  the  least  injustice,  or  shield  from  deserved  infa- 
my a  single  moral  wrong! — that  I  should  check  the 
influences  of  knowledge  or  the  progress  of  liberty ! — 
that  I  should  impede  or  limit  the  elevation  and  happiness 
and  usefulness  of  the  colored  race !  It  is  because  I 
Avould  aid,  and  most  rapidly  and  efl^ectually  promote,  the 
emancipation  and  improvement  of  this  race  throughout 
America  and  the  world,  that  I  give  all  possible  support 
to  the  American  Colonization  Society. 

"  In  the  Patriot  of  the  3d  instant,  you  observe,  '  The 
American  Colonization  Society  not  only  does  not  aim  at 
even  checking  the  slave  trade  in  Africa,  but  it  protects 
the  internal  slave  trade  of  the  States,  which  is  indepen- 
dent of  the  import  trade,  and  might  continue  to  exist  in 
all  its  enormity  if  the  African  coast  were  studded  with 
free  black  colonies.  The  two  Societies  [the  Civilization 
and  Colonization]  have,  as  Sir  T.  Fowell  Buxton  shows, 
so  little  in  common,  even  in  their  ostensible  object,  that 
no  greater  injustice  can  be  done  to  the  supporters  of  the 
one  than  to  hold  them  responsible  for  favoring  the  very 
opposite  designs  of  the  other.' 

"  Sir,  it  would  be  difficult  for  human  ingenuity  to  frame 
two  sentences,  comprising,  in  the  same  space,  more  error 
and  injustice  than  these.  The  charges  contained  in 
ihem,  it  occurred  to  me,  might  have  been  inconsiderately 


LETTER  TO  THE   PATRIOT.  123 

made.  I  pointed  to  my  letters  in  the  Morning  Post  ol' 
the  2d  instant,  as  demonstrating  the  falsehood  of  these 
charges,  and  requested  you  to  publish  them.  You  de- 
cline, and  give  us  the  following  paragraph  : 

'"'Our  readers  will  judge  for  themselves  whether  Sir 
T.  Fowell  Buxton  is  right  in  tliinking  and  saying  that  the 
proposed  objects  of  the  two  Societies  are  '  not  the  same,' 
or  Mr.  Gurley,  who  maintains  that  they  are.  We  wish 
to  give  no  further  offence  to  the^-everend  representative 
of  the  American  Societ}' ;  but  we  cannot  suppress  our 
astonishment  at  his  persisting  in  the  assertion,  that '  the 
great  objccf  of  the  American  Colonization  Society  is 
the  civilization  of  Africa !  How  benevolent  soever  the 
motives  of  its  originators,  it  is  notorious  that  its  great 
object  was  to  promote  'a  volanlary  separation  of  the 
colored  from  the  lohite  race^  as  being,  'in  reason  and  the 
public  judgment,  desirable  on  general  principles  of  bene- 
volence.' The  motive  for  its  formation  Avas  the  fact, 
^  that  the  two  hundred  thousand  colored  persons  scatter- 
ed throughout  the  Union,  and  legally  free,  enjoyed  {e,\\ 
of  the  advantages  of  freedom ;'  coupled  with  the  consi- 
deration, '  that  there  were  powerful  causes  operating  to 
frustrate  all  efforts  to  elevate  very  considerably  men  of 
color'  in  the  United  States. — ( Gurley' s  Life  of  Jlshmun., 
page  111.)  A  society  that  should  have  been  formed  by 
the  Jamaica  planters  to  promote  the  expatriation  of  all 
free  persons  of  color  born  in  that  island,  to  Sierra  Leone, 
would  have  presented  a  precise  counterpart  to  the  colo- 
nization scheme  of  the  Virginian  slave-holders.  Mr. 
Gurley  calls  upon  us  to  prove  that  the  American  Colo- 
nization Society  protects  the  internal  slave  trade.  Why 
does  he  ask  for  proof?  He  knows  that  some  leading 
members  of  the  American  Colonization  Society  are  both 


124  MISSION. 

slave-holders  and  slave-sellers,  and  that  they  resist  the 
abolition  even  of  the  Washington  slave  market.  What 
inconsistency  is  there  in  a  society's  affecting  to  promote 
the  abolition  of  the  African  slave  trade,  while  it  puts  not 
forth  the  feeblest  eftbrt — nay,  does  not  so  much  as  pro- 
test against  the  aggravated  enormity  of  the  home  slave 
trade  ?  With  Liberia,  again  we  say,  we  have  nothing  to 
do  in  this  question,  which  relates  to  the  objects  and  mo- 
tives of  the  American  colonizationists.  With  all  possi- 
ble respect  for  the  high  character  of  Mr.  Gurley,  whom 
Ave  can  readily  believe  to  be  sincere  in  his  wishes  to  pro- 
mote the  interests  of  the  African  race,  though  too  much 
after  the  American  fashion,  we  must  assure  him  that,  as 
regards  the  Society  he  represents,  he  will  take  nothing 
by  his  mission. — Et).' 

"Astonishment  is  often  miiiual.  Yours  at  my  'per- 
sisting in  the  assertion  that  the  great  oliject  of  the  Colo- 
nization Society  is  the  civilization  of  Africa,'  cannot 
exceed  inine,  that  these  sentences  are  given  in  justification 
of  the  charges  made  by  you  against  the  Colonization 
Society.     How  stand  the  questions  between  us  ? 

"  Your  first  charge  was,  that  the  American  Coloniza- 
tion Society  '  does  not  even  aim  to  suppress  the  slave 
trade  in  Africa ;'  and  when  I  show,  as  I  have  done  in  the 
letters  to  whicli  I  have  referred  you,  and  as  I  might  do, 
more  extensively  by  a  volume  of  evidence  from  the 
early  recorded  publications  and  proceedings  of  that  Soci- 
ety, that  tlie  overthrow  of  this  traffic  was  a  prominent 
object  of  its  founders,  and  has  been  a  cherished  purpose 
of  all  its  friends,  from  its  very  origin;  that  Liberia, 
planted  by  the  Society,  and  em])odying  in  its  laws  the 
views  of  its  Directors  on  this  subject,  condemns  any  one 
of  its  citizens,  who  may  engage  in   this  trade,    to   the 


LETTER  TO  THE  PATRIOT.  125 

penalty  of  death  ;  that  by  force  of  arms  it  has  broken  up 
many  slave  factories,  releasing  numerous  victims  of  this 
cruel  commerce  from  their  chains,  and  admitting  them  as 
freemen  to  an  asylum  within  its  limits ;  that  by  concur- 
rent recent  testimony  from  the  most  authentic  sources, 
English  as  well  as  American,  the  influence  of  this  colo- 
ny is  powerful  and  extensive  for  the  suppression  of  this 
traffic ;  that  more  than  thirty  native  chiefs  have,  by 
treaties,  consented  to  abolish  it ;  what  is  your  reply  ? 
'  With  Liberia  we  have  nothing  to  do  in  this  question, 
which  relates  to  the  objects  and  motives  of  the  Ameri- 
can colonizationists.'  And  pray,  sir,  will  you  be  so  good 
as  to  inform  me  how  you  will  ascertain  the  objects  and 
motives  of  American  colonizationists,  except  by  their 
declarations  and  actions  ?  By  their  consistency  ?  This 
is,  indeed,  a  jewel ;  but  if  honesty  and  sincerity  in  any 
one  case  is  to  be  admitted  only  where  there  is  consist- 
ency in  every  case.,  will  you  show  me  the  evidence  that 
these  virtues  have  any  existence  in  the  world  ?  Will  you 
enable  me  to  discover  them  among  the  Abolitionists  of 
England  ?  The  Colonization  Society  declares  that  one 
of  its  chief  objects  is  to  suppress  the  African  slave  trade. 
Through  its  colony  it  is  actually  suppressing  it,  and  yet, 
with  these  facts  proved  before  your  eyes,  you  deny  that 
it  even  aims  at  checking  this  traffic,  because,  as  you 
imagine,  it  makes  no  effort  against  the  internal  slave  trade 
in  the  United  States.  This  is  much  like  denying  that  a 
train  of  cars  in  full  motion  moves  at  all,  because,  in  your 
judgment,  it  might  as  well  move  in  another  direction. 

"  It  must  be  presumed  that  you,  sir,  and  many  other 
learned  gentlemen  in  England,  are  uninformed  of  the 
unremittmg  and  consistent  energy  with  which  the  Colo- 
nization Society,  from  its  commencement,  has  prosecuted 
11* 


126  MISSION. 

measures,  in  America  as  well  as  in  Africa,  for  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  African  slave  trade.  The  Directors  of  this 
Society,  in  their  memorial,  addressed  to  the  Congress  of 
the  United  States,  in  1820,  use  the  following  language  : 

"'When,  therefore,  the  object  of  the  Colonization 
Society  is  viewed,  in  connection  with  that  entire  sup- 
pression of  the  slave  trade,  which  your  memorialists 
trust  is  resolved  shall  be  effected,  its  importance  becomes 
obvious  and  extreme.  The  beneficial  consequences 
resulting  from  success  in  such  a  measure,  it  is  impossi- 
ble to  calculate.  To  the  general  cause  of  humanity  it 
will  afford  the  most  rich  and  noble  contribution  ;  and  for 
the  nation  that  regards  that  cause,  that  employs  its  power 
in  its  behalf,  it  cannot  fail  to  procure  a  proportionate 
reward.  It  is  by  such  a  course  that  a  nation  ensures  to 
itself  the  protection  and  favor  of  the  Governor  of  the 
world.' 

"The  memorial  from  which  these  sentences  are  ex- 
tracted, was  referred  to  a  committee  of  Congress,  wlio, 
in  their  able  report  thereon,  say — 

"'Your  memorialists  are  solemnly  enjoined  by  the 
peculiar  object  of  their  trust,  and  invited  by  the  sugges- 
tions of  the  memorialists,  to  inquire  into  the  defects  of 
the  existing  laws  against  the  African  slave  trade.  So 
long  as  it  is  in  the  power  of  the  United  States  to  provide 
additional  restraints  upon  this  odious  traffic,  they  cannot 
be  withheld  consistently  with  the  justice  and  honor  of 
the  nation.' 

"This  committee,  after  depicting  the  horrors  of  the 
trade,  and  declaring  that '  this  crime,  considered  in  its  re- 
mote, as  well  as  proximate  consequences,  is  the  very 
darkest  in  the  whole  catalogue  of  human  iniquities,'  and 
that  its  authors  should  be  considered  as  hostcs  humani 


LETTER  TO  THE  PATRIOT.  127 

generis,  brought  in  a  bill,  which,  by  the  noble  exertions 
of  General  C.  F.  Mercer,  one  of  the  earliest  and  ablest 
friends  and  Vice  Presidents  of  the  Society,  passed  forth- 
with into  a  law,  stigmatizing  the  African  slave  trade  as 
piracy,  and  subjecting  any  citizen  or  person  of  the  United 
States  who  should  engage  in  it,  upon  conviction  thereof, 
to  the  punishment  of  death. 

"'May  it  not  be  believed  (say  the  committee  who  re- 
ported tliis  bill)  that  when  the  whole  civilized  world  shall 
have  denounced  the  slave  trade  as  piracy,  it  will  become 
as  unfrequent  as  any  other  species  of  that  offence  against 
the  law  of  nations.'  Thus  the  Government  of  the  United 
States,  the ^rsf  to  prohibit  the  slave  trade,  through  the  in- 
fluence of  the  Colonization  Society,  became  the  first  to 
make  it  piracy;  an  example  already  imitated  by  some 
other  powers,  and  the  universal  imitation  of  which  would 
be,  of  all  measures  of  force,  the  most  effectual  for  the  ex- 
tinction of  this  atrocious  commerce ;  and  yet,  sir,  you 
assert  that '  the  American  Colonization  Society  does  not 
even  aim  to  suppress  the  slave  trade  in  Africa !' 

"Your  next  charge  was,  that- the  Colonization  Society 
'  protects  the  internal  slave  trade,  which  is  independent 
of  the  import  trade,  and  might  continue  to  exist  in  all 
its  enormity  if  the  African  coast  were  studded  with  free 
black  colonies.  I  avowed  my  utter  ignorance  of  any 
grounds  for  this  charge,  and  requested  proof.?  What  is 
your  reply  ?  '  Why  does  he  (Mr.  Gurley)  ask  for  proof.' 
He  knows  that  some  leading  members  of  the  American 
Colonization  Society  are  both  slave  holders  and  slave 
sellers,  and  that  they  resist  the  abolition  of  the  Washing- 
ton slave  market.  What  inconsistency  is  there  in  a 
society's  affecting  to  promote  the  abolition  of  the  African 


128  MISSION. 

slave  trade,  while  it  puts  not  forth  the  feeblest  effort,  nay, 
does  not  so  much  as  protest  against  the  aggravated  enor- 
mity of  the  home  slave  trade  ?' 

''•  You,  sir,  will  not  presume  to  assert  that  there  is  any 
thing  in  the  constitution  of  the  Society,  which  declares 
the  'exclusive  object'  of  the  institution  'to  be,  to  pro- 
mote and  execute  a  plan  for  colonizing  (with  their  con- 
sent) the  free  people  of  color  residing  in  the  United 
States,  in  Africa,  or  elsewhere,'  protective  of  the  internal 
slave  trade  in  those  States.  But  the  American  Coloniza- 
tion Society  is  a  national  association,  and  its  members 
and  Directors  may  be  citizens  of  slave-holding  or  of  non- 
slave-holding  States.  Therefore  it  protects  the  internal 
slave  trade.  By  the  same  logic  you  must  maintain  that 
the  American  Bible  Society,  the  American  Tract  Society, 
the  American  Home  Missionary  Society,  the  American 
Temperance  Society,  the  American  Sunday  School  Union, 
the  American  Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign  Mis- 
sions ;  in  fine,  that  each  and  all  of  the  national  benevo- 
lent institutions  of  the  United  States  (for  members  of  all 
these  may  be  either  from  slave-holding  or  non-slave- 
holding  States,)  protect  the  internal  slave  trade  of  those 
States.  Do  you  hold  that  these  institutions  protect  the 
slave  trade  in  the  United  States  i  But  among  leading 
members  of  the  Colonization  Society  are  slave-holders 
and  slave-sellei's,  (if  any  of  the  latter,  surely  very  few,") 
and  those  who  resist  the  abolition  of  what  you  term  the 
Washington  slave  market.  Of  the  institutions  just 
named,  the  same  fact  may  be  asserted.  The  Coloni- 
zation Society  '  does  not  so  much  as  protest  against  the 
aggravated  enormity  of  the  home  slave  trade.'  I  have 
heard  of  no  protest  against  this  trade  from  the  associa- 


LETTER  TO  THE  PATRIOT.  129 

tions  to  which  I  have  alluded.  Do  you,  sir,  therefore 
maintain  that  every  national  benevolent  institution  in  the 
United  States  protects  the  internal  slave  trade  .' 

*■'  I  have  heard  of  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Soci- 
ety, and  of  a  British  Society  to  promote  the  abolition  of 
slavery  throughout  the  world.  And  I  have  heard  of 
evils,  both  moral  and  political,  under  the  far-extended 
sceptre  of  British  authority,  of  oppression  in  her  colo- 
nies ;  of  intolerable  grievances  in  her  eastern  dominions, 
where  100,000,000  bow  their  necks  to  the  yoke  of  arbi- 
trary power ;  of  the  cries  of  her  poor  for  bread  at  the 
very  gates  of  her  palaces ;  of  wretched  females,  not  in 
hundreds  but  in  thousands,  wandering  nightly  through 
the  streets  of  this  metropolis  to  gain  a  scanty  subsist- 
ence at  the  expense  of  health  and  virtue  ;  and  I  have  not 
felt  at  liberty  to  denounce  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible 
Society,  or  the  British  Anti-slavery  Society,  because  they 
are  not  protesting  against  all  these  and  other  enormities. 
I  have  presumed  that  the  Bible  Society  was  sufficiently 
occupied  in  distributing  the  pure  word  of  God  without 
note  or  comment,  and  that  the  Anti-slavery  Society  would 
readily  exhaust  all  its  spare  leisure  and  strength  in  vilify- 
ing the  Colonization  Society,  and  those  inconsistent, 
tyrannical,  infamous  slave-holding  Christians  and  Re- 
publicans of  America.  Tlie  disposition  to  detect  the 
mote  in  a  brother's  eye,  while  a  beam  is  in  our  own, 
was  not  limited  to  the  times  of  our  Saviour. 

^  The  American  Colonization  Society,  instead  of  pro- 
tecting the  internal  slave  trade,  is  operating  extensively 
in  favor  of  emancipation,  and  thus  to  the  extinction  of 
that  traffic.  This  trade  is  protected  by  the  laws  of  those 
States,  where  slavery  exists,  as  a  necessary  incident  of 
that  system — a  system  urged,  shall  1  not  say  forced,  upon 


130  MISSIOX. 

tlie  people  of  those  States  by  the  commercial  avarice  ol" 
England,  in  the  days  of  their  colonial  dependence, 
against  earnest  remonstrances  addressed  to  the  Parlia- 
ment and  the  throne.  It  lias  grown  with  their  growtii, 
strengthened  with  their  strength,  and  become  intertwined 
and  commingled  with  the  habits,  interests,  and,  indeed, 
with  the  whole  constitution  of  society.  It  gave  rise  to 
the  most  dangerous  and  difficult  questions  connected  with 
the  formation  of  the  Federal  constitution.  That  consti- 
tution never  could  have  been  adopted  except  with  gene- 
ral consent  that  slavery  should  be  left  w^here  it  was  found, 
under  tlie  control  of  the  States,  in  their  individual  capa- 
city, where  it  had  been  established.  Emancipation, 
therefore,  can  never  be  effected,  the  internal  slave  trade 
never  be  suppressed,  but  by  the  imll  and  consent  of  the 
slave-holding  States.  For  the  great  evil  of  slavery,  the 
benevolence  of  the  good,  and  the  wisdom  of  the  wise,  in 
the  south  as  in  the  north,  have  long  anxiously  sought  a 
remedy. 

"  The  American  Colonization  Society  arose  from  the 
combmed  wisdom  of  benevolent  men  from  the  north  and 
south,  intent  to  promote  the  best  interests  of  the  colored 
race.  As,  sir,  in  your  astonishment  that  I  should  persist 
in  the  assertion  that  the  great  object  of  the  American 
Colonization  Society  is  the  civilization  of  Africa,  you 
have  glanced  into  my  '  Life  of  Ashmun,'  to  prove  by  half 
a  sentence  that  the  great  object  was  other  than  this,  and 
by  one  whole  sentence  and  part  of  another,  what  motive 
impelled  to  the  formation  of  the  Society,  I  must  beg  your 
and  the  public  attention  to  the  entire  paragraph  in  that 
work  from  which  you  have  made  extracts,  marking  those 
extracts,  that  you  may  have  all  the  benefit  to  which,  from 
these  citations,  you  may  be  entitled  :  — 


LETTER  TO  THE  PATRIOT.  131 

" '  The  American  Colonization  Society  was  founded  in 
Washington  city  in  December,  1816.  The  patriotic  and 
pious  from  various  parts  of  the  country  united  in  its  or- 
ganization. They  could  not  close  their  eyes  upon  the 
following  facts  :  — 

" '  1.  That  the  slavery  of  two  millions  of  colored  per- 
sons in  the  southern  portion  of  this  Union,  was  under 
the  exclusive  control  and  legislation  of  the  slave-holding 
States,  each  having  the  sole  right  of  regulating  it  within 
its  own  limits. 

"'2.  That  the  t7i'o  hundred  thousand  colored  persons 
scattered  throughout  the  Union,  and  legalhj  free,  enjoyed 
feiv  of  the  advantages  of  freedom. 

" '  3.  That  there  were  powerful  causes  operating  to 
frustrate  all  efforts  to  elevate  very  considerably,  men  of 
color  in  this  country,  which  could  not  exist,  to  prevent 
their  elevation,  in  a  separate  community  from  the  whites. 

" '  4.  That  the  voluntary  separation  of  the  colored  from 
the  white  race  was  in  reason,  and  the  public  judgment,  so 
desirable  on  general  principles  of  benevolence,  that  a 
union  of  tlie  wise  and  pious  from  every  State  and  section 
of  the  country  in  support  of  measures  proposed  for  the 
good  of  the  colored  race,  yet  tending  to  no  such  result, 
could  not  be  expected. 

" '  5.  That  the  success  of  any  measures  for  the  good 
of  that  race  must  depend  in  a  great  degree  on  such  union. 

"'6.  That  Africa  was  inhabited  by  50,000,000  to 
100,000,000  of  uncivilized  and  heathen  men,  and  that  to 
render  as  far  as  practicable,  the  elevation  of  her  exiled 
children  conducive  to  the  deliverance  and  salvation  of 
her  home  population  was  required  alike  by  philanthropy 
and  piety. 

" '  In  view  of  these  facts,  what  humanity  and  benevo- 


132  MISSION. 

lence  to  llie  colored  race  suggested,  was  embodied  in  the 
constitution  of  the  American  Colonization  Society.  It 
was  expected  that  the  operations  of  this  Society  would 
unfetter  and  invigorate  the  faculties,  improve  the  circum- 
stances, animate  the  hopes,  and  enlarge  the  usefulness  of 
the  free  people  of  color ;  that  by  awakening  thought, 
nullifying  objections,  presenting  motives  convincing  to 
the  judgment,  and  persuasive  to  the  humanity  of  masters, 
they  would  encourage  emancipation ;  that  in  Africa  their 
results  would  be  seen  in  civilized  and  Christian  commu- 
nities ;  in  the  substitution  of  laAvful  and  beneficial  com- 
merce for  the  abominable  slave  trade,  of  peaceful  agricul- 
ture for  a  predatory  warfare,  knowledge  for  ignorance  ; 
the  arts  that  refine,  for  vices  that  degrade  ;  and  for  super- 
stitions, vile,  cruel,  and  blood  stained,  the  ennobling  ser- 
vice and  pure  worship  of  the  true  God.  It  was  believed 
that  the  fellowship  of  the  north  Avith  the  south,  in  African 
colonization,  would  tend  powerfully  to  produce  just 
opinions  on  the  subject  of  slavery,  and  prepare  for  the 
removal  of  the  evil  without  endangering  the  integrity  and 
peace  of  the  Union.  It  was  clear  that  the  principles  and 
measures  of  the  Society  interfered  not  with  those  who 
desired  to  ameliorate  the  condition  of  the  people  of  color, 
bond  or  free,  who  might  remain  in  our  country ;  but,  in 
fact,  contributed  to  produce  those  kind  and  considerate 
sentiments  towards  both,  which  alone  can  admit  them  to 
the  privileges,  possible  for  them  while  here,  and  denied 
a  distinct,  national  existence.  But  the  founders  of  the 
Society  saw  not  by  what  authority  we  could  limit  the 
Almighty,  and  tie  down  the  destiny  of  the  colored  people 
to  a  condition  so  low  (or  why  they  should  be  satisfied 
with  it,)  compared  with  the  blessings  of  nationality.'* 

*Dr.  Beecher. 


LETTER  TO  THE  PATRIOT.  133 

'•  If  you  have  referred  to  the  Life  of  Ashnun  as  au- 
trhority  in  ascertaining  the  great  object  and  the  motive  of 
the  Colonization  Society,  the  public  will  be  able  to  judge 
how  far  the  quotations  used  by  you  accord  with  their 
meaning  in  their  connection  in  that  work,  and  whether 
you  have  better  reason  to  conclude  tliC  great  object  of 
the  Colonization  Society  to  be  the  promotion  '  of  the 
voluntary  separation  of  the  colored  from  the  white  race' 
than  the  civilization  of  Africa.  In  ordinary  language,  of 
several  important  objects,  the  most  important  we  desig- 
nate as  the  great  one.  The  position  which  the  civiliza- 
tion of  Africa  holds  in  the  passage  copied  from  the  Life 
of  Ashinun,  shows  that  it  was  so  regarded  by  the  writer. 
But  he  is  not  alone.  At  the  first  meeting  of  the  Society, 
before  its  constitution  was  adopted,  Mr.  Caldwell  (after- 
wards its  Secretary,)  said  :  — 

" '  But,  Mr.  Chairman,  I  have  a  greater  and  nobler 
object  in  view  in  desiring  them  [the  free  people  of  color] 
to  be  placed  in  Africa.  It  is  the  belief  that  through  them 
civilization  and  the  Christian  religion  w^ould  be  intro- 
duced into  that  benighted  quarter  of  the  world.  It  is  the 
hope  of  redeeming  many  millions  of  people  from  the 
lowest  state  of  ignorance  and  superstition,  and  restoring 
them  to  the  knowledge  and  worship  of  the  true  God. 
Great  and  powerful  as  are  the  other  motives  to  this  mea- 
sure, in  my  opinion,  and  you  will  find  it  the  opinion  of 
a  large  class  of  the  community,  all  other  motives  are 
small  and  trifling  compared  with  the  hope  of  spreading 
among  them  the  knowledge  of  the  Gospel.' 

"  Said  General  Harper,  one  of  the  most  distinguished 
founders  of  the  Society,  in  his  letter  published  in  the 
first  report  of  the  institution  :  — 

" '  The  greatest  benefit,  however,  to  be  hoped  from  the 
12 


134  MISSION. 

enterprize,  that  which  in  contemplation  most  delights  the 
philanthropic  mind,  still  remains  to  be  unfolded.  It  is 
the  benefit  to  Africa  herself,  from  this  return  of  her  sons 
to  her  bosom,  bearing  with  them  arts,  knowledge,  and 
civilization,  to  which  she  has  hitherto  been  a  stranger.' 

"  And  what  is  the  language  of  Mr.  Clay,  the  present 
President  of  the  Society,  than  whom,  the  cause  of  human 
freedom,  as  well  as  of  this  Society,  has  seldom,  if  ever, 
found  a  more  able  or  eloquent  advocate  :  — 

"'If  the  project  did  not  look  beyond  the  happiness  of 
the  two  races  now  in  America,  it  would  be  entitled  to  the 
warmest  encouragement.  But  it  presents  a  much  more 
extensive  field — a  field  only  limited  by  the  confines  of 
one  of  the  largest  quarters  of  the  habitable  globe  —  for 
religious  and  benevolent  exertion.  Almost  all  Africa  is 
in  a  state  of  the  deepest  ignorance  and  barbarism,  and 
addicted  to  idolatry  and  superstition.  It  is  destitute  of 
the  blessings  both  of  Christianity  and  civilization.  The 
Society  is  an  instrument  which,  under  the  guidance  of 
Providence,  with  public  assistance,  is  competent  to  spread 
the  lights  of  both  throughout  its  vast  dominions.'  After 
stating  that  in  one  view  of  the  subject  it  would  send  6,000, 
and  in  another,  56,000  descendants  of  Africa  annually  to 
her  shores,  he  adds,  '  It  will  open  forests,  build  towns, 
erect  temples  of  public  worship,  and  practically  exhibit 
to  the  native  sons  of  Africa  the  beautiful  moral  spectacle 
and  the  superior  advantages  of  our  religious  and  social 
systems.  In  this  unexaggerated  view  of  the  subject,  the 
colony,  compared  with  other  missionary  plans,  presents 
the  force  and  grandeur  of  a  noble  steamer  majestically 
ascending,  and  Avith  ease  subduing,  the  current  of  the 
Mississippi,  in  comparison  with  the  feeble,  tottering  canoe, 
moving  slowly  among  the  reeds  that  fringe  its  shores. 


LETTER  TO  THE    PATRIOT. 


135 


It  holds  up  tlie  image  of  the  resistless  power  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi itself,  rushing  from  the  summits  of  the  Rocky 
mountains,  and  marking  its  deep,  and  broad,  and  rapid 
course,  through  the  heart  of  this  continent,  thousands  of 
miles  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  in  comparison  with  that 
of  an  obscure  rivulet  winding  its  undiscernible  way 
through  dark  and  dense  forests,  or  luxuriant  prairies  in 
which  it  is  quickly  and  for  ever  lost.' 

"You  remark, '  A  Society  that  should  have  been  formed 
by  the  Jamaica  planters  to  promote  the  expatriation  of 
all  the  free  people  of  color  born  in  that  island,  to  Sierra 
Leone,  would  have  presented  a  precise  counterpart  to  the 
colonization  scheme  of  the  Virginia  slave-holders.' 

"A  small  error  in  this  sentence,  my  dear  sir.  You 
should  have  Avritten  contrast  for  counterpart.  Another, 
in  putting  '  scheme  of  the  Virginia  slave-holders'  for 
'  scheme  of  the  American  Colonization  Society,'  which, 
at  its  adoption,  received  no  less  the  sanction  of  the  non- 
slave-holders  of  Pennsylvania,  New  York  and  New 
England,  than  of  the  slave-holders  of  Virginia.  But  you 
may  say,  perhaps,  that  the  plan  of  African  colonization 
was  discussed  in  the  Virginia  Legislature  in  1802 ;  and 
adopted,  you  must  allow  me  to  add,  by  Dr.  Fothergill 
(an  eminent  member  and  preacher  of  the  Society  of 
Friends)  and  Granville  Sharp,  in  1782;  prosecuted  by 
Paul  Cuflee,  an  intelligent  and  benevolent  man  of  color, 
from  New  England,  in  1811.  Perhaps,  if  it  throws  odium 
upon  the  colonization  scheme,  to  call  it  the  scheme  of 
the  Virginia  slave-holders,  it  may  clear  away  this  odium, 
possibly  render  it  attractive,  to  denominate  it,  with  the 
same  justice,  the  scheme  of  those  venerable  and  illustri- 
ous abolitionists.  Dr.  Fothergill  and  Granville  Sharp,  or 
of  that  excellent  man  of  color,  Capt.  Paul  Cufiee.     But, 


136  Missiox. 

sir,  between  your  supposed  Jamaica  Society  and  the 
American  Colonization  Society,  I  discover  but  one  point 
of  resemblance,  and  at  \easi  four  points  of  difference. 

"  First.  They  are  both  societies,  and  have  to  do  with 
persons  of  color.     In  this  they  agree. 

"They  differ,  first,  in  that  the  Jamaica  Society  is  a 
body  of  slave-holders,  the  Colonization  Society  of  slave- 
holders and  non-slave-holders. 

"  Second.  The  Jamaica  Society  is  an  expatriating  So- 
ciety ;  the  American  Colonization  Society  one  to  aid  the 
colonization  of  voluntary  emigrants. 

"  Third.  The  Jamaica  Society  would  force  their  free 
blacks  from  one  English  colony  to  another,  where  they 
will  have  as  little  or  less  chance  of  rising  to  a  distinct, 
social,  and  political  existence  ;  the  Colonization  Society 
\vould  aid  the  free  colored  people  of  America  to  escape 
from  embarrassment,  and  found  free  Slates  and  the  church 
on  the  African  shores,  the  honors  and  blessings  of  which 
are  to  be  their  own  for  ever. 

"  Fourth.  As  the  Jamaica  scheme  is  to  drive  the  free 
colored  people  from  one  place  to  a  distant  one,  no  better, 
at  least,  for  themselves,  and  the  colonization  scheme  to 
encourage  the  same  class  in  working  out  their  redemption 
from  all  the  disabilities  and  degradations  of  their  condi- 
tion, and  imparting  the  most  precious  benefits  of  art, 
civilization,  and  Christianity,  to  a  dark  and  degenerate 
quarter  of  the  globe ;  the  first  is  marked  by  selfishness, 
the  last  replete  with  philanthropy. 

"  I  have  not  alluded  to  an  insinuation  of  yours,  touch- 
ing the  '  import  trade,'  as  though  you  would  suggest  that 
.slaves  from  Africa  are  still  introduced  into  the  United 
States.  I  know  not  that  such  a  thing  has  occurred  for 
years.     To  introduce  them  into  any  part  of  the  American 


LETTER  TO  THE  PATRIOT.  137 

Union,  is  piracy,  and  punishable  with  death,  and  no  peo- 
ple are  more  disposed  to  see  this  law  enforced  than  the 
citizens  of  every  portion  of  the  United  States. 

'•'  The  length  of  this  letter  must  be  attributed,  sir,  to 
an  attachment,  which  I  trust  ever  ardently  to  che.ish,  to 
truth,  justice,  and  humanity.  Whatever  else  I  may  take 
with  me  from  England,  I  shall  certainly  depart  with  the 
consciousness  of  having  honestly  and  earnestly  sought 
to  harmonize  opinion  between  virtuous  minds  in  this 
country  and  my  own,  on  one  of  the  greatest  questions 
that  can  occupy  attention,  and,  what  is  more,  to  unite 
their  sympathies  and  affections.  It  is  a  union  of  hearts 
I  seek.  Even  the  majesty  of  reason  has  no  power  to 
awe  in  the  hurricane  of  the  passions.  Would  to  God 
that  the  heart  of  the  universal  Church  were  penetrated 
by  those  words  of  supreme  authority,  'Let  all  wrath, 
and  anger,  and  evil-speaking,  be  put  away  from  you  with 
all  malice,  and  be  ye  kind  one  to  another,  tender-hearted, 
loving  one  another,  and  forgiving  one  another,  even  as 
God,  for  Christ's  sake,  hath  forgiven  you.'  I  am  no 
apologist,  as  has  been  said,  for  any  system  of  slavery. 
I  would  promote  the  liberty  and  happiness  of  every  class 
and  description  of  human  beings  ;  but  we  must  take  care 
so  to  remedy  evils,  that  the  remedy  prove  not  worse 
than  the  disease.  You,  sir,  would  not  overthrow  the 
fabric  of  the  American  constitution  or  subvert  the  Go- 
vernment of  England^  because  in  both,  as  in  one  of  your 
magnificent  cathedrals,  there  may  be  wanting  perfect 
beauty  of  proportion,  some  stains,  some  fiaios,  be  discerned 
amid  the  grandeur  of  their  arches  and  their  columns. 
My  sensibilities  are  keenly  alive  to  the  trials  of  our  slave 
population.  Point  to  a  single  sentence  which  I  ever 
wrote  to  show  the  reverse.  The  Life  of  Jlshmun,  {& 
12* 


13S  MISSION. 

book  which,  for  the  merit  of  its  subject,  if  no  other,  w\\\ 
live,  while  books  live,)  the  African  Repository,  conduct- 
ed by  myself  as  sole  editor  for  nearly  ten  years,  contain, 
I  venture  to  assert,  not  less  sound,  discreet,  persuasive 
argument  in  favor  of  the  emancipation  of  the  slaves  of 
the  United  States,  and  of  general  liberty,  than  exists  in 
the  same  space  in  the  whole  range  of  English  literature. 

"  And,  sir,  little  credit  as  may  be  given  to  the  opinion 
in  England,  I  shall,  nevertheless,  hazard  it,  because  I  be- 
lieve it  to  be  true,  that  the  persons  who  are  prepared  to 
make  the  largest  sacrifices,  to  devote  the  most  self-deny- 
ing exertions  for  the  good  of  the  slave  population  of 
America,  are  to  be  found  among  the  people  of  the 
southern  States.  AVhat  my  own  views  are  on  slavery, 
and  the  internal  slave  trade,  may  be  more  evident  from 
the  following  passage,  written  in  1825,  and  published  in 
the  first  volume  of  the  African  Repository,  with  Avhich 
I  conclude  this  communication  : 

"'That  the  slave  trade  is  contrary  to  the  law  of  na- 
ture (says  the  Chief  Justice  of  the  United  States,)  will 
scarcely  be  denied,  that  every  man  has  a  natural  right  to 
the  fruits  of  his  own  labor  is  generally  admitted,  and 
tliat  no  other  person  can  rightfully  deprive  him  of  those 
fruits  and  appropriate  them  against  his  will,  seems  the 
necessary  result  of  this  admission.'  '  Now,  these  funda- 
mental truths  do  not  admit  of  application  to  the  slave 
trade  on  the  coast  of  Africa  only,  but  to  the  whole 
alarming  evil,  which,  throughout  a  vast  portion  of  our 
land,  grows  Avith  our  growth,  and  strengthens  with  our 
strength.  The  inveteracy  of  tliis  evil  cannot  change  its 
moral  or  political  tendency,  nor  in  the  least  diminish  the 
obligation  to  provide  for  it  a  remedy.  To  eradicate  or 
remove  the  evil  immediately  is  impossible,  nor  can  any 


LETTER  TO  THE   PATRIOT.  139 

law  of  conscience  govern  necessity.  But  in  the  same 
proportion  as  difficulties  have  been  augmented  by  the 
remissness  of  the  States,  have  the  moral  obligations  of 
the  States  to  make  exertions  been  increased.  If  the  citi- 
zens of  the  States  in  which  the  evil  exists,  deny  (what 
we  are  not  disposed  to  maintain,)  that  Congress  has  the 
right,  without  their  consent,  to  exert  any  direct  influence 
upon  it,  we  hope  they  will  perceive  the  fearful  responsi- 
bility they  assume  to  themselves,  a  responsibility  for 
exemption  from  which  many  conscientious  men,  no 
doubt,  truly  rejoice.  An  inward  sense  of  justice  will 
unite  with  the  claims  of  interest,  and  urge  them  by  con- 
siderations of  infinite  force  to  commence  efforts,  which 
must  be  great  as  they  are  necessary,  which  cannot  be 
begun  too  soon,  which  may,  nay,  have  been,  delayed  too 
long.' 

"  With  great  respect,  I  am,  sir, 

'*■  Your  obedient  servant, 

"R.  R.  GUllLEY. 
"  LoxDox,  Dec.  14,  1S40." 

It  has  been  stated,  that  at  one,  of  several  meetings,  of  a 
few  friends  of  the  Colonization  Society,  I  was  requested 
to  prepare  for  publication  an  exposition  of  the  views  of 
that  Society,  and  introduce  such  facts  as  might  contribute 
to  place  the  institution  and  Liberia  in  their  true  light  be- 
fore the  people  of  England.  In  compliance  with  this 
request,  1  sought  to  embody  the  reflections  of  some 
years,  on  the  colonization  and  civilization  of  Africa, 
especially  as  connected  with  the  interests  of  the  descend- 
ants of  Africa  in  the  United  States,  in  the  following  let- 
ter, which  appeared  with  several  other  documents,  bear- 
ing upon  the  same  general  subject,  in  a  pamphlet  form, 


140  MISSION. 

shortly  before  I  left  England.  The  expense  of  an 
edition  of  seven  hundied  copies  of  this  letter,  was  most- 
ly defrayed  by  the  subscriptions  of  some  half  a  dozen 
generous  individuals. 

A    LETTER 

TO  THE  HON.  HENRY  CLAY,  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  AMERICAN 
COLONIZATION  SOCIETY,  AND  TO  SIR  THOMAS  FOWELL 
BUXTON,  CHAIRMAN  OF  THE  GENERAL  COMMITTEE  OF 
THE  AFRICAN  CIVILIZATION  SOCIETY. 

"Gentlemen:  I  address  you  as  representing,  in  an 
eminent  manner,  the  more  sober  general  views  of  the 
great  body  of  the  wise  and  good  in  England  and  Ameri- 
ca in  regard  to  the  measures  demanded  for  the  relief  and 
elevation  of  the  African  race.  On  a  subject  so  vast, 
complex,  and  difficult,  neither  yon,  nor  those  you  respec- 
tively represent,  may  in  all  points  agree,  yet,  doubtless, 
you  and  they  are  animated  by  the  same  pure  motives, 
and  seeking  to  effect  the  same  grand  object.  To  this 
object  many  years  of  my  life  have  been  devoted.  My 
official  connection  with  the  American  Colonization  Soci- 
ety is  terminated ;  and  from  my  present  position  I  may 
review,  perhaps,  the  opinions  I  have  formed  with  less 
danger  than  heretofore  from  bias  or  partiality.  The 
thoughts  I  express  have  been  much  considered,  and  I 
hope  they  may  be  deemed  worthy  of  attention  by  the 
good  people  of  the  United  States  and  of  Great  Britain. 

"  There  is  much  variety  as  well  as  peculiarity  of  mis- 
fortune in  the  condition  of  the  African  race.  The  great 
majority  of  this  people  still  inhabit  their  ancient  land  of 
Africa,  broken  up  into  almost  innumerable  tribes,  diflbr- 
ing,  to  some  extent,  in  complexion,  customs,  knowledge, 
and  superstitions,  slightly  united  by  social  ties,  governed 


LETTER  TO  CLAY  AND  BUXTON.  141 

by  arbitrary  chiefs  with  little  form  of  law,  and  generally 
and  deeply  degraded  by  long  prevalent  barbarism,  the 
rites  of  a  debasing  religion,  by  slavery  and  the  slave 
trade.  Estimates  of  the  population  of  Africa  have  varied 
from  sixty  millions  to  one  hundred  and  fifty  millions, 
and  probably  the  exact  number  lies  between  these  two 
extremes.  This  vast  population  is  spread  over  a  country 
of  great  extent  and  fertility,  abundant  in  resources,  pene- 
trated by  many  large  navigable  rivers,  and  blessed  with 
rich  advantages  for  agriculture  and  commerce  with  civi- 
lized nations. 

"A  portion  of  this  race  occupy  the  British  West 
Indian  Islands,  with  advantages  and  encouragements  for 
improvement,  having  been  raised  by  the  power  of  the 
English  Government  from  slavery  to  freedom. 

"Another  portion  (not  exceeding  probably,  altogether, 
including  the  free  blacks  of  Mexico,  five  millions,)  exist 
as  slaves  in  the  Brazils,  Cuba,  and  the  French,  Spanish, 
Portuguese,  Danish,  and  Dutch  colonial  possessions  in 
various  parts  of  the  globe. 

"  Another  portion  (about  3,000,000,)  are  in  the  United 
States,  the  majority  in  slavery  in  the  Southern  States  of 
the  Union,  and  about  half  a  million  free,  and  scattered 
throughout  all  the  States. 

''  Nearly  one  million  of  this  people  are  in  Ilayti,  self- 
governed,  and,  1  trust,  slowly  improving,  having  by  a 
fierce  and  bloody  conflict  cast  ofi'  the  chains  of  their 
former  bondage. 

"Finally,  a  considerable  number  (though  less  we  pre- 
sume than  are  in  the  same  condition  in  Christian  coun- 
tries,) are  in  slavery  in  t'ne  Mahomedan  empire. 

"  From  this  brief  and  very  imperfect  survey,  it  is  evi- 
dent that  the  whole  number  of  Africans  in  exile  in  all 


142  MISSION. 

parts  of  tlie  world  is  small  compared  with  that  of  those 
still  residing  on  the  soil  of  Africa.  Nor  can  we  doubt, 
from  the  facts  and  statements  exhibited  m  the  recent  work 
on  the  slave  trade  and  its  remedy,  that  the  greatest  physi- 
cal evils  endured  by  the  African  race  result  from  the 
slave  trade,  which,  though  utterly  condemned  by  the 
general  opinions  and  laws  of  Christian  nations,  is  never- 
theless prosecuted  by  avarice  and  inhumanity  to  an  un- 
precedented extent,  attended  by  the  most  shockingly 
criminal  and  cruel  acts,  and  an  immense  waste  of  human 
life.  Nearly  or  quite  half  a  million  of  wretched  Afri- 
cans are  annually  torn  from  their  homes,  a  moiety  of 
whom  perish  in  capture,  during  their  march  to  the  coast, 
in  the  holds  of  slave  ships  on  their  passage  across  the 
ocean,  or  during  the  first  trials  of  toil  and  exposure  in  a 
foreign  climate.  In  view  of  an  evil  so  terrible,  so 
enormous,  it  becomes  all  humane  and  Christian  men 
immediately,  solemnly,  and  with  their  might,  to  exert 
themselves  to  discover  and  apply  the  remedy,  and,  un- 
mindful of  minor  differences  of  sentiment  and  all  merely 
personal  considerations,  to  unite  in  measures  the  most 
efficient  for  the  relief  of  such  inexpressible  miseries,  and 
the  redress  of  such  atrocious  wrongs  as  are  involved  in 
the  slave  trade.  Yet  as  the  source  and  seat  of  this  trade 
is  in  the  barbarism  and  degradation  of  Africa,  all  mea- 
sures will  prove,  we  fear,  but  palliative  of  the  evil,  which 
do  not  include  as  an  end  the  civilization  and  elevation  of 
the  African  race.  The  great  inquiry  should  be,  I  con- 
ceive. How  shall  the  greatest  good,  in  the  shortest,  time, 
be  conferred  upon  the  greatest  number  of  this  afflicted 
and  injured  people  f 

"  In  this  inquiry  other  questions,  than  those  concerning 
the  injustice  of  establishing  or  perpetuating  either  the 


LETTER  TO  CLAY  AND  BUXTON.  143 

slave  trade  or  slavery  are  involved.  I  know  not  that  in 
England  and  America  the  slave  trade  has  any  advocates 
or  defenders,  and  slavery  as  an  original  and  permanent 
system  will  find  few  among  civilized  nations.  But  to 
show  how  the  efforts  of  philanthropy  shall  be  combined 
and  directed,  so  as  to  suppress  utterly  the  African  slave 
trade,  secure  the  abolition  of  slavery,  without  detriment, 
and  with  advantage  to  all  parties,  and  in  all  countries 
where  it  exists,  and  the  civilization  of  Africa,  so  darkened 
and  debased  by  ignorance,  superstition,  oppression,  and 
vice,  and  this  in  the  shortest  possible  period,  is  a  matter 
of  vital  importance  to  the  honor  of  our  religion  and  the 
interests  of  humanity. 

"  Nor  are  we  in  danger  of  over-estimating  the  magni- 
tude and  grandeur  of  an  enterprize  embracing  prospec- 
tively the  many  millions,  with  their  future  descendants, 
of  one  of  the  largest  quarters  of  the  globe,  the  millions 
from  that  country  now  in  exile  and  chains  in  other  lands, 
with  their  descendants,  and  affecting,  as  in  its  progress 
and  results  it  must,  the  political,  social,  and  commercial 
condition  of  several  civilized  and  powerful  nations. 
Human  thought  and  ability  are  often  wasted  upon  insig- 
nificant and  even  imworthy  objects.  Those  which  rightly 
demand  our  sympathy  and  aid,  are  frequently  very  limit- 
ed in  the  number,  extent,  and  duration  of  their  benefits. 
We  open  the  village  school,  give  food,  clothing,  or  shel- 
ter to  the  destitute,  rear  asylums  for  those  stricken  down 
by  misfortune,  or  touched  in  body  or  estate  by  the  chas- 
tening hand  of  God,  and  rejoice  even  if  a  few  of  his 
rational  creatures,  our  brethren,  derive  relief,  or  find  so- 
lace and  unwonted  joy  from  the  ministrations  of  our 
hands ;  but  when  a  continent  cries  to  us  for  succor  • 
when  millions,  perishing,  make  to  us  their  appeal ;  when 


Mi  MISSIOiV. 

a  whole  race  of  men,  a  large  proportion  of  the  entire 
human  family,  call  upon  us  for  deliverance  from  unuttera- 
ble wrongs  and  miseries,  and  a  participation  in  the  choicest 
blessings  which  the  Divine  Father,  in  the  bounty  of  his 
grace,  has  bestowed  upon  ourselves,  it  were  a  disgrace 
for  which  we  could  never  atone,  to  remain  unmoved  or 
inactive.  The  evils  to  be  remedied,  the  good  to  be  con- 
ferred by  our  Christian  exertions  in  such  a  case,  surpass 
the  boundaries  of  the  human  imagination,  the  compre- 
hension of  any  finite  mind.  As  in  charity  there  can  be 
no  excess,  neither  can  there  be  of  zeal  in  such  a  cause ; 
for  here  enthusiasm  is  sobriety. 

"  Though  my  opinion  is,  that  of  all  measures  of  gen- 
eral policy  for  the  benefit  of  the  African  race,  the  colo- 
nization m  Africa  of  free  persons  of  color,  with  their 
own  consent,  on  the  principles  developed  in  the  colony 
of  Liberia,  is  the  best  which  can  at  present  be  adopted 
by  Ameiican  and  English  philanthropists,  I  am  not  insen- 
sible to  the  value  of  many  subordinate  and  auxiliary 
plans,  or  to  the  purity  of  motive  by  which  they  are  sus- 
tained. In  various  channels  and  from  various  points,  the 
charities  of  the  Christian  world  may  flow  forth  and  finally 
commingle  in  one  and  the  same  broad  sti-eam  of  benefi- 
cence to  Africa. 

"  But  if  the  scheme  of  colonization  suggested,  as,  at 
present,  the  main  plan  of  benefit  to  the  African  race,  sur- 
pas.ses  any  and  all  others  in  efliciency  and  advantage  ;  if  at 
its  commencement,  and  for  several  years  to  come,  it  re- 
quire great  energy  and  resources,  the  opinion  of  England 
and  America  should  be  united  for  its  support.  Opinion 
is  becomiiig  the  mistress  of  states  and  of  the  M'orld.  How 
mighty  the  reason  and  benevolence  of  these  two  coun- 
tries acting  together  and  for  the  same  end  !     How  disas- 


LETTER  TO  CLAY  AND  BUXTON.  145 

trous  to  the  hopes  of  Africa  should  their  opinions  oil  this 
subject  tend  in  opposite  directions,  neutralize  each  other, 
if  not  exhaust  their  strength  in  the  fierceness  of  contro- 
versy or  the  bitterness  of  reproach  and  recrimination. 

"And  here  it  may  be  important  to  state  the  moral 
principle  which  should  govern  the  friends  of  the  African 
race,  in  endeavors  and  enterprizes  for  their  benefit ; 
and  to  show  that  it  is  the  same,  which  by  the  Divine 
law,  each  and  every  man  is  bound  to  manifest  in  his 
conduct  towards  one  and  all  of  his  fellow  men.  It  is 
simply  that  principle  of  justice  and  benevolence  embodied 
in  the  golden  rule  of  the  Saviour  of  the  world.  In  its 
application  to  the  inhabitants  and  descendants  of  Africa, 
there  is  no  peculiarity  unless  it  lie  in  the  strength  of 
reasorW'  which  urge  this  application  on  account  of  the 
greatness  of  their  wrongs  and  the  extremity  of  their 
miseries.  Possibly,  also,  we  may  be  specially  bound  to 
remedy  evils  which  our  own  crimes  or  those  of  our 
immediate  ancestors  have  produced.  But  with  these 
qualifications,  our  duty  to  the  African  race  is  the  same 
owed  by  us  to  any  other  people  in  like  circumstances. 

"The  law  of  Christianity  enjoining  reciprocal  and 
equal  benevolence,  universally,  and  at  all  times,  between 
man  and  man,  is  the  sole  foundation  of  human  rights, 
and  this  general  law  can,  in  the  innumerable  cases,  not 
defined  or  settled  by  particular  Divine  precepts,  be  obey- 
ed only  by  such  acts  and  methods  as  an  honest  reason 
shall  prescribe.  The  principle  of  this  law,  perfect  and 
immutable,  holds  authority  over  all  human  society,  but 
in  its  application  to  particular  circumstances,  conditions, 
and  individuals  of  this  society,  varies  endlessly,  involves 
every  question  of  expediency,  and  requires  the  exercise 
of  our  highest  faculties,  of  the  soundest  and  most  saga- 
13 


146  MISSION. 

cious  judgment.  No  one  can  doubt  the  truth  of  this 
doctrine  who  will  reflect  upon  his  own  conduct  for  a 
single  day.  Why  bestows  he  alms  upon  this  destitute 
person  and  not  upon  that.,  sustains  tliis  proposed  mea- 
sure for  the  public  advantage  and  not  that  other,  but  in 
recognition  of  the  fact  that  in  most  of  the  actions  and 
duties  of  life,  Christianity  governs  by  general  laws, 
leaving  human  reason  to  study  the  lessons  of  experi- 
ence, and  to  select  and  apply  the  means  and  methods  of 
beneficence.  In  all  domestic,  social,  and  political  life, 
and  in  ten  thousand  forms,  this  fact  is  manifested  every 
hour,  and  Avhile  I  see  in  it,  for  many  reasons,  a  peculiar 
wisdom  and  a  high  moral  discipline,  1  know  that,  had  it 
been  otherwise,  and  special  laws  dictated  and  prescribed 
each  and  every  act  of  our  lives,  the  world  itself  would 
not  contain  the  books  that  had  been  written. 

"The  rights  of  man  imply  corresponding  obligations, 
and  the  existence  of  one  or  both  between  men,  presup- 
poses human  society.  I  am  dealing  now  with  the 
mo7'ale  of  the  subject,  and  not  with  its  artificial  or  mere- 
ly legal  aspects.  JYo  reasoning,  then,  on  the  rights  of 
man,  is  of  force  or  value,  which  treats  him  as  solitary 
and  alone,  or  which  rests  merely  upon  the  dignity  and 
immortality  of  his  nature.  Nor  is  it  possible  to  disco- 
ver, independent  of  a  serious  attention  to  circumstances 
and  consequences,  from  the  preceptive  code  of  Chris- 
tianity, many  of  the  rights  of  others,  and  of  our  par- 
ticular obligations  of  duty ;  and  not  less  rational  is 
he,  who,  because  God  has  left  to  him  the  free  use 
of  his  limbs,  confronts  the  steam  engine  in  its  velo- 
city, or  dares  the  wrath  of  all  the  elements,  than  he 
who,  in  his  plans  of  benevolence,  overlooks  the  fact, 
that  not  more  perfect  or  unbending  in   principle,  tlian 


LETTER  TO  CLAY  AND  BUXTO.V.  147 

comprehensive  and  accommodating  in  the  modes  of  its 
application  to  human  society  and  human  affairs,  is  the 
Divine  law,  regulating  things  on  earth  as  in  heaven,  par- 
tially by  exact  definitions  and  rules,  but  mostly  by  purity 
of  motive  and  the  all-hallowing  and  benign  infiuences  of 
reciprocal  and  universal  love.  So  far  as  any  system  of 
political  or  personal  slavery  violates  the  specific  precepts 
or  the  general  laws  of  Christianity,  it  must  be  condemned, 
and  should  be  immediately  abolished,  yet  whether  such  a 
system  be  for  a  time,  on  the  whole,  right  or  wrong,  it 
is  clear,  that  the  duties  and  rights  of  individuals  invested, 
thereby,  with  authority,  or  bound  to  submission  and  ser- 
vitude, are  affected  and  modified  by  a  state  of  things, 
Avhich  exists,  perhaps,  (if  they  are  in  a  minority,)  without 
their  choice,  and  which  neither  one  nor  both  of  them  find 
it  possible  to  control.  As  they  neither  established  the 
s)'stem,  may  not  desire  to  perpetuate  and  cannot  abolish  it, 
they  must  fulfil  the  royal  law  according  to  the  Scriptures 
by  such  acts  of  mutual  justice  and  kindness  as  are  com- 
patible with  the  necessities  of  their  condition  and  the 
public  welfare. 

"  Men,  as  individuals,  and  society,  as  a  body  of  indi- 
viduals, are  equally  bound  to  do  what  they  can  to  reform 
abuses,  promote  justice,  and  seek  the  perfectibility  of  all 
social  and  political  institutions ;  yet  in  regard  to  the 
means  they  adopt  for  these  great  ends,  they  must  be 
mainly  governed  by  their  own  judgments,  deliberately 
and  conscientiously  formed  under  responsibilities  to  the 
Author  of  all  wisdom,  the  Supreme  Kuler  of  the  world. 

"  Much  controversy  in  regard  to  slavery,  arises  from 
the  different  meanings  given  by  difierent  writers  to  that 
term,  some  usmg  it  as  synonymous  with  the  act  of  re- 
ducing a  free  person  to  involuntary  and  perpetual  servi- 


148  Missiox. 

tiule ;  others,  as  that  system  or  institution  of  society 
which  legalizes  and  makes  hereditary  this  servitude; 
some  as  a  wrong  involving  every  crime  committed  to- 
wards slaves  where  such  an  institution  prevails  ;  some  as 
the  mere  condition  of  the  slaves ;  and  others  as  simply 
the  relation  existing  between  the  individual  master  and 
his  slaves,  the  effects  of  which  must  clearly  depend  very 
much  upon  the  character  of  the  persons  and  the  peculiar 
circumstances  of  the  case.  Some  deem  slavery,  however 
modified,  and  wherever  existing,  so  entirely  and  intolera- 
bly criminal,  that  for  its  overthrow  they  would  willingly 
hazard  all  consequences,  and  in  their  enthusiasm  for  Avhat 
they  term  the  inalienable  rights  of  humanity,  violate  the 
rights  of  independent  communities,  the  long  acknow- 
ledged and  sanctioned  laws  of  nations. 

••'  States  and  individuals  ar.e  alike  bound  by  the  general 
and  special  laws  of  the  Christian  religion,  and  to  hold  or 
treat  human  beings  as  mere  property,  I  regard  as  a  viola- 
lion  of  the  principles  of  that  religion  ;  yet  it  by  no  means 
follows  that  all  masters,  form  the  very  nature  of  the  rela- 
tion they  sustain  to  their  slaves,  are  to  be  condemned,  or 
that  the  state  in  which  slavery  exists,  is  bound  to  proclaim 
immediate,  unconditional,  imiversal,  and  entire  emanci- 
pation. The  relation  of  master  does  not  oblige  the 
master  to  treat  the  slave  as  mere  property.  The  state 
may  repeal  all  laws  which  thus  regard  the  slave,  short  of 
an  act  of  unconditional  and  entire  emancipation.  Even 
the  liabilities  to  evil  to  which  particular  slaves  are  ex- 
posed in  the  service  of  Christian  masters  in  America, 
may  be  less  than  those  to  which  they  Avould  be  exposed, 
at  present,  by  an  act  of  emancipation.  But  it  may  be 
said,  the  liabilities  to  evil  of  particular  slaves  by  emanci- 
pation, could  not  exist  Avere  there  general  emancipation. 


LETTER  TO  CLAY  AND  BUXTO.V.  149 

This  may  be  true ;  but  I  am  speaking  of  things  as  they 
are,  and  not  as  they  might  be,  and  of  the  modification  of 
the  duties  of  individuals  by  the  condition  of  society. 
To  illustrate,  then,  my  meaning,  the  slave  of  a  humane 
master  may  have  a  family  connected,  as  slaves,  with  a 
neighboring  plantation,  and  emancipation  might  expose 
him,  as  in  some  cases  it  would,  to  separation  from  his 
wife  and  children,  by  removal  from  the  state,  and  tluis 
prove  to  him  a  curse  rather  than  a  blessing.  It  may  be 
true  that  his  liabiUties  to  evil  in  slavery  are  less  tliau  tliey 
would  be  in  freedom. 

"  If  we  look  to  a  republican  confederacy,  like  tliat  ot 
the  United  States,  of  many  states,  in  one-half  of  which 
slavery  exists,  and  in  the  other  not,  where  the  evil  was 
planted,  in  opposition  to  earnest  and  repeated  remon- 
strances from  the  people,  then  colonially  dependent,  by 
a  ruling  but  foreign  power;  where  the  numbers  in  slavery 
are  large,  in  some  states  a  majority  of  the  population ; 
distinct  from  all  other  classes  in  origin  and  complexion  ; 
uneducated,  and  incapable  of  self-government,  it  is  clear 
that  those  providently  entrusted  with  political  control, 
must  look  to  the  general  welfare,  consider  the  interests  of 
others  as  v\'ell  as  of  the  slaves,  and  that  they  would  dis- 
regard the  highest  obligations  should  they  by  sudden 
and  rash  changes,  expose  the  country  to  revolution,  or 
all  the  horrors  of  civil  war.  The  temper  of  the  people 
is  to  be  observed  as  well  as  the  physical  condition  of 
society,  the  helm  of  power  is  not  to  be  surrendered  to 
unsafe  or  incompetent  hands,  and  it  must  be  remembered, 
for  the  sake  of  the  slaves  themselves,  that  restraints  upon 
the  freedom  of  men  are  sometimes  among  their  dearest 
rights.  My  purpose,  however,  is  not  to  discuss  tlie  whol« 
question  of  slavery,  but  to  show,  that  in  regard  to  that,  as 
13* 


150 


MISSION". 


Avell  as  to  most  other  evils  in  the  world,  Christian  discre- 
tion should  be  exercised  under  the  general  law  of  Chris- 
tian benevolence,  and  that  those  writers  and  (many  such 
recent  ones  there  are)  who  confound  all  distinctions 
between  slavery  and  the  African  slave  trade ;  between 
the  guilt  of  him  Mho  reduces  free  men  to  slavery  and  of 
him  who  receives  by  inheritance  an  estate  upon  which 
are  slaves,  made  such  by  laws  enacted  by  generations 
that  died  before  he  was  born ;  between  the  conduct  of  a 
parent  nation,  forcing,  for  gain,  tliis  evil  of  slavery  upon 
her  colonies,  disposed,  but  unable,  to  resist,  and  that  of 
those  colonies  become  independent  states,  and  in  view  of 
the  differences  of  their  free  and  slave  population  and  the 
near  equality  of  their  numbers,  hesitating  to  attempt 
emancipation,  mainly  from  apprehensions  that  such  an 
attempt  would  produce  evils  gieater  than  slavery  itself 5 
disregard  or  leave  unnoticed  the  deeper  and  more  im- 
portant elements  in  the  subject,  from  which  alone  we  can 
frame  arguments  for  the  enfranchisement  of  their  slaves, 
convincing  to  the  slave-holders,  because  just  to  facts  and 
to  motives,  and  trusting  rather  to  their  sense  of  obliga- 
tion to  do  good  unto  all  men,  than  to  the  imagined  wis- 
dom of  our  own  suggestions,  how  this  obligation,  in  the 
particular  case,  shall  be  discharged. 

"  I  have  no  thought  or  wish  to  apologize  for  any  of  the 
sins  and  wrongs  of  slavery.  The  doctrine  I  maintain 
appears  to  me  the  doctrine  of  Christianity,  and  better 
adapted  (as  surely  it  must  be  if  such,)  to  secure  the  free- 
dom and  happiness  of  the  slaves  than  any  one  more 
austere,  and  less  capable  of  being  discriminatcly  applied 
to  the  ever  varying  existence  and  circumstances  of  human 
beings.  It  is  of  the  perfection  as  well  as  equity  of  the 
Divine  Law,  not  to  hold  the  state  responsible  for  crimes 


LETTER  TO  CLAY  AXD  BUXTOJV.  151 

which  no  state  legislation  could  prevent  or  punish,  nor  the 
individual  bound  to  redress  wrongs  and  evils  created  and 
sanctioned  by  state  authority,  and  which  he  is  unable 
either  to  arrest  or  control.  True,  every  man  should,  by 
his  influence  and  example,  plead  for  righteousness  ;  and 
from  the  retirements  of  individual  souls  must  emanate  the 
power  to  conquer  evil;  gradually,  increasingly  and  with- 
out disturbance,  pervade  the  bodies  politic  of  states  and 
kingdoms,  establish  justice  in  the  scats  of  renown,  and 
crown  charity  queen  of  the  world, — the  power  of  Divine 
truth,  wisdom,  and  love. 

"Slavery  (I  speak  now  of  the  system)  in  the  United 
States  and  other  countries,  is  one  of  the  many  forms  of 
oppression  which  all  good  men  must  desire  to  see  speedily, 
and  with  advantage  to  all  parties,  abolished.  Originating 
in  the  errors  and  crimes  of  a  former  age,  closely  inter- 
woven with  all  the  institutions  and  habits  of  society, 
strengthened  by  interest  and  time,  and  in  America,  depend- 
ing upon  no  pov.rer  or  authority  except  the  states,  indi- 
vidually, M'here  it  exists,  the  reason,  conscience,  and  will 
of  the  masters,  are  the  principal,  if  not  only  channels, 
through  which  the  influences  of  truth  and  kindness  can 
operate  successfully  for  its  removal.  Let  such  influences 
alone  operate.  Censure,  reproach,  interference  by  citi- 
zens of  other  states,  tend  but  to  add  rigor  to  the  bondage, 
and  gloom  to  the  prospects  of  the  slave  population.  And 
it  should  be  known  in  England,  as  it  is  known  in  America, 
that  the  sentiments,  the  jugdments,  the  institutions  of  the 
people  of  the  United  States  are  on  the  side  of  general 
liberty.  The  people  of  these  states  generally,  regard 
slavery  as  an  anomaly  to  the  entire  spirit  and  plan  of  their 
political  being,  and  therefore  its  toleration  and  support 
must  be  tiaced  to  some  powerful  reasons  in  their  minds, 


152  MISSION. 

unconnected  with  their  general  views  of  politics  and 
society.  These  reasons  arise  from  the  wide  differences  in 
complexion,  history,  character,  and  condition,  between 
those  of  Anglo-Saxon  and  African  descent,  Avhich  are 
thought  to  render  intimate,  social  and  political  union 
between  them  impracticable  if  desirable,  and  undesirable 
if  practicable,  injurious  to  both,  and  of  benefit  to  neither, 
and  from  the  dangers  of  collision,  were  both  free  on  the 
same  soil,  should  such  union  not  be  effected.  If  these 
ideas  be  erroneous,  they  are  general  and  powerful,  you 
cannot  meet  and  overcome  them  by  argument,  for  they 
spring  from  association  and  sympathies;  they  may  die, 
but  cannot  be  conquered. 

"I  have  expressed  the  opinion  that  the  colonization  of 
free  persons  of  color,  with  their  own  consent,  in  Africa, 
on  the  principles  developed  in  the  establishment  and 
progress  of  Liberia,  is,  of  all  plans  practicable  at  present, 
most  deserving  support  in  England  and  America,  because 
of  highest  utility  and  promise  to  the  African  race. 

"The  history  of  the  colony  of  Liberia,  though  brief, 
is  full  of  interest  and  instruction  to  the  student  of  human 
nature,  and  particularly  to  those  philanthropists  who 
seek  to  civilize  Africa,  and  elevate  the  minds  of  her 
children.  Granville  Sharp,  Dr.  Fothergill,  and  their 
associates,  had  founded  Sierra  Leone.  The  rude  mate- 
rials with  which  they  commenced  their  work,  and  extra- 
ordinary disasters,  soon  compelled  them  to  commit  the 
destinies  of  this  colony  to  the  English  Government ;  and 
tliough  it  looks  out  brightly  and  encouragingly  from  the 
African  shore,  it  has  hardly  fulfilled  the  best  hopes  of  its 
earliest  friends.  The  colony  of  Liberia  owes  its  exist- 
ence to  a  benevolent  American  Society,  has  no  connec- 
tion with  the  Government,  and  from  it  has  derived  but 


LETTER  TO  CLAY  AND  BUXTO.V.  153 

occasional,  and,  compai'ecl  with  that  of  individuals,  but 
small  aid.  The  wise  and  good  men  who,  twenty-four 
years  ago,  organized  the  American  Colonization  Society, 
proposed  a  plan  of  benevolence  to  the  African  race,  so 
simple  and  unobjectionable,  that  the  citizens  of  the  wliole 
United  States  might  contribute  to  its  support,  so  power- 
ful in  its  tendencies  of  good  in  all  directions,  and  com- 
prehensive in  its  promised  beneficence,  as  to  want,  in 
theory,  at  least,  little  if  anything  of  perfection.  This 
plan  was,  to  purchase  from  the  African  chiefs  a  suitable 
and  sufficiently  extended  territory,  and  to  assist  such 
bold  and  energetic  free  men  of  color,  residing  in  the 
United  States,  as  might  desire  to  emigrate,  to  found 
thereon  a  free  and  Christian  state,  which,  from  the  nature 
of  its  institutions,  the  development  of  its  principles  and 
resources,  and  the  discipline  of  its  circumstances  must 
sti'engthen  and  elevate  the  intellect  and  moral  character 
of  its  citizens  ;  by  example  and  endeavors  plant  and  pro- 
pagate civilization  and  Christian  doctrine  in  Africa ;  sup- 
press the  slave  trade ;  react  powerfully  upon  America  to 
promote  emancipation  by  means  disconnected  from  dan- 
ger, demanded  by  general  justice,  and  fraught  Avith  bless- 
ings never  yet  attained  by  it,  to  the  liberated  Africans 
and  to  their  race ;  thus  showing  by  experiment,  and  de- 
monstrating in  fact,  how  this  race  may  cast  off  the 
incumbrances  and  entanglements  of  their  thraldom,  and 
self-respected,  because  deserving  praise,  stand  in  dignity 
and  honor  before  the  world.  It  is  the  peculiar  excellen- 
cy of  this  plan,  that  for  its  success,  reliance  is  mainly 
placed  upon  the  ability  of  the  descendants  and  people  of 
Africa  themselves,  when  favored  in  position  and  stimu- 
lated by  high  motives,  to  rise  from  their  degradation, 
assume  a  national  character,  and  secure  prosperity  and  a 


lo4  MISSION. 

name  among  the  nations.  The  purpose  of  the  Society 
has  been  to  place  the  objects  of  its  bounty  in  such  a 
position,  and  supply  to  them  such  motives.  Poor  are 
the  richest  endowments  of  fortune,  compared  with  the 
acquisitions  of  the  mind.  Worthless  are  the  distinctions 
which  others  may  confer  on  us,  compared  with  those  we 
may,  by  great  acts  and  great  endurance,  achieve  for  our- 
selves. It  has  been  by  toil  and  trial,  by  suffering  and 
conflict,  by  self-denial  and  self-discipline,  by  hazardous 
adventure  and  often  by  the  iron  hand  of  necessity,  that 
individuals  and  nations  have  ascended  from  weakness, 
obscurity,  and  disgrace,  to  power  and  grandeur. 

"  Since  a  band  of  persecuted  pilgrims,  impelled  by 
concern  for  the  rights  of  conscience  and  the  truths  of 
God,  first  trod  the  icy  and  rock-bound  coast  of  New 
England,  few  events  of  higher  moral  interest  or  sublimity 
have  occurred  than  the  establishment  of  the  colony  of 
Liberia.  Much  praise  is  due  to  the  Colonization  Society, 
but  far  more  to  the  heroic  men  of  color  who  went  forth, 
at  the  peril  of  their  lives,  with  no  safeguard  but  Provi- 
dence, to  plant  the  seeds  of  liberty  and  Christianity  in 
the  most  barbarous  quarter  of  the  world,  and  there,  far 
away  from  the  arm  of  any  civilized  government,  in  the 
face  of  a  fierce  and  mighty  opposition,  to  rear  the  fabric 
of  a  free,  well-ordered,  and  religious  commonwealth.  It 
is  true  that  this  small  company  of  brave  adventurers  in 
the  cause  of  their  race,  have  been  assisted  by  teachers 
and  guides  from  among  the  whites,  and  Heaven  has 
smiled  upon  them ;  yet  it  is  to  their  own  awakened 
energy,  their  industry,  resolution,  courage,  and  faith  in 
God,  that  we  must  mainly  attribute  their  success.  The 
world  has  little  observed,  perhaps  less  applauded  them. 
Probably  not  one  in  a  thousand  in  this  metropolis  has 


LETTER  TO  CLAY  AND  BUXTO.V.  155 

any  knowledge  of  their  existence.  Yet  thoy  have 
founded  a  republican  and  Christian  state  in  Africa,  which 
promises  to  grow  and  extend  itself  for  ages,  and  consti- 
tuted and  adapted  in  the  whole  character  of  its  institu- 
tions and  laws  to  kindle  tlie  individual  mind,  and  give 
full  play  to  all  those  intellectual  and  moral  faculties 
which,  nobly  exei'cised,  exalt  men  to  greatness,  mav 
prove  a  central  light  and  power  to  revive  and  renovate 
tlieir  country  and  their  race. 

"  But  to  be  more  specific  in  regard  to  the  principles 
embodied  and  developed  in  the  colony  of  Liberia. 

"  It  is  designed  for  a  national  and  independent  politi- 
cal existence. 

"  Its  institutions  are  republican,  or  in  the  hands  of  the 
people. 

"  Control  over  them  is  reserved  to  the  people  of  color. 

"Slavery  can  have  no  existence  within  tlie  limits  of 
the  colony. 

"  All  transactions  with  the  native  tribes  are  to  be  con- 
ducted on  principles  of  exact  justice. 

"Both  law  and  practice  are  in  hostility  to  the  slave 
trade. 

"Provision  is  to  be  made  for  universal  education. 

"  No  preference  is  to  be  given  to  any  religious  sect,  but 
perfect,  and  therefore  equal,  toleration  is  secured  to  all. 

"Missionaries  of  all  Christian  denominations  among 
the  native  Africans  are  to  be  countenanced  and  encour- 
aged in  their  work. 

"Colored  emigrants  are  aided  by  the  Society  during 
six  months  after  their  arrival,  receive  donations  of  land, 
and  having  taken  possession  of  the  same,  and  cultivated 
a  few  acres,  become  entitled  to  all  the  privileges  of  citi- 
zenship. 


156  Missiox. 

"Various,  recent,  and  unexceptionable  testimony  from 
sources,  English  as  well  as  American,  might  be  adduced 
to  show  how  these  principles,  incorporated  in  its  consti- 
tution, laws,  and  the  manners  and  sentiments  of  its  citi- 
zens, are  so  well  adapted  to  make  it  a  contented,  enter- 
prizing,  improving,  religious  community,  aiding  to  sup- 
press the  slave  trade,  and  to  diffuse  a  knowledge  of  civi- 
lization and  Christianity  among  the  native  African  tribes. 

"This  colony  of  Liberia,  (including  the  settlements 
founded  by  the  people  of  Maryland  at  Cape  Palmas,) 
extends  from  that  point  lat.  4°  10'  N.,  to  Cape  Mount  lat. 
6°  45'  N.,  a  distance  by  the  coast  of  about  three  hundred 
miles,  and  varying  in  extent  interior,  from  ten  to  forty 
miles.  The  Governor  of  the  principal  colony  is  a  white 
man,  that  of  Maryland,  a  man  of  color,  educated  in  New 
England.  The  governments  of  both  are  founded  upon 
the  consent  of  the  people,  and  administered  by  officers 
of  their  own  choice.  The  beautiful  and  thriving  towns 
or  villages  oi  Monrovia^  Caldicell,  JVeio  Georgia,  Miils- 
hurg,  MarshaU,  Greenville,  Bassa  Cove,  Edina,  Bcxiey, 
Rozenberg,  Harper,  and  others,  adorn  this  coast,  so 
recently  covered  with  barbarism,  and  exposed  to  all 
the  atrocities  and  horrors  of  the  slave  trade.  Eighteen 
churches  and  many  schools  are  established.  Of  several 
thousand  emigrants  from  the  United  States,  about  two 
thousand  were  manumitted  by  benevolent  masters,  and 
assisted  to  take  possession  of  this  their  long  lost,  but 
now  recovered,  and  we  trust,  secure  and  permanent  in- 
heritance. The  exports  from  this  colony,  consisting  of 
ivory,  camwood,  palm  oil,  tortoise-shell,  gold,  beeswax, 
and  hides,  has  amounted  to  from  one  to  two  hundred 
thousand  dollars  annually,  for  several  years,  while  an 
equal  amount  of  American  and  European  manufactures 


LETTER  TO  CLAY  AND  BUXTON.  157 

has  been  received  in  return.     Several  small  coasting  ves- 
sels, (not  fewer  than  twelve  or  fifteen,)  manned  and  navi- 
gated by  the  colonists,  are  constantly  engaged  from  Mon- 
rovia, the  principal  seaport,  in  a  profitable  trade  along 
seven  hundred  miles  of  the  coast.     Seldom  is  the  harbor 
of  this  town  without  foreign  vessels,  nearly  one  hundred 
of  which,  from  the  United  States,  England,  France,  Swe- 
den, Portugal,  and  Denmark,  touch  there  every  year. 
The  country  possesses  great  advantages  for  agriculture, 
as  well  as  commerce ;  cotton,  coffee,  sugar,  rice,  indigo, 
palm-oil,  with  ivory,  and  many  rich  gums,  drugs,  and 
spices  from  the  forest,  may,  by  industry  and  energy,  be 
produced  or  obtained  in  large  quantities  for  exportation. 
"  The  respect  for  good  morals  and  religion  is  general 
and  great.     Three  years  ago,  there  were  about  eight  hun- 
dred members  of  the  Christian  church  ;  profaneness  and 
intoxication  are  almost  unknown,  and  as  early  as  1834, 
a  Temperance  Society,  in  a  few  weeks  after  its  organiza- 
tion, reckoned  on  its  list  five  hundred  members,  at  that 
time,  one-fifth  of  the  entire  population.     Nowhere  is  the 
Sabbath  more  regarded,  or  Divine  worship  attended  with 
more  apparent  devotion.     In  some  settlements,  the  sale 
of  ardent  spirits  is   entirely  prohibited  by  law ;  every- 
where the  use  of  them  is  discouraged  by  public  opinion. 
Some  thirty  African  chiefs  have  consented  by  treaty  to 
discontinue  the  slave  trade,  and  many  thousands  of  the 
native  population  have  placed  themselves  under  the  pro- 
tection and  authority  of  the  Colonial  Government. 

"  The  ministers  of  the  Gospel,  about  forty  in  number, 
hold  religious  meetings  during  the  Aveek,  as  well  as  on 
Sundays,  and  give  religious  instruction  in  the  native  vil- 
lages. The  legislative  council,  the  courts  of  justice,  the 
lyceums,  societies  for  mental  improvement,  and  for  pur- 
14 


158  MISSION. 

poses  of  benevolence,  the  ably  conducted  presses,  the 
public  library,  the  ardent  desire  for  knowledge  pervading 
the  whole  community,  a  well  organized  militia,  and  nu- 
merous civil  oflicers  discharging  their  duties  with  skill 
and  fidelity,  are  impressive  evidences  of  improvement, 
and  of  the  efficiency  of  the  principles,  inculcated  and 
embodied  in  the  colonization  of  Liberia.  To  the  mental 
discipline,  the  force  of  motives,  elevated  and  constant, 
the  kindling  up  of  hope,  in  view  of  an  almost  boundless 
prospect  of  honor  and  usefulness,  must  we  ascribe  the 
conduct  and  success  of  the  people  of  this  colony. 

"  Nor  should  I  omit  to  mention  how  the  gates  of  Africa 
have  been  opened  through  this  colony,  for  the  admission 
of  missionaries,  and  other  Christian  teachers,  to  her 
native  population,  and  that  sixty  such  persons,  sustained 
in  their  most  benevolent  efforts,  by  four  of  the  principal 
denominations  of  American  Christians,  have  entered  upon 
this  field,  never  before  visited  by  the  messengers  of  peace 
and  salvation,  and  been  welcomed  by  its  rude  occupants, 
ready  to  receive  the  words  of 'Divine  wisdom,  and  to 
escape  from  the  bondage  and  shadow  of  death. 

"  In  sundry  important  particulars  there  is,  between  the 
American  Colonization  Society,  and  the  African  Civiliza- 
tion Society  of  England,  an  exact  agreement. 

"  In  their  utter  detestation  of  the  African  slave  trade, 
Ihey  agree  : 

"  In  the  opinion,  that  for  its  overthrow,  we  should  not 
rest  contented,  to  abide  the  slow  progression  of  the  prin- 
ciples of  justice,  throughout  the  world,  but  lay  by  far  the 
greatest  stress,  on  all  those  efforts  which  may  tend  to 
enlighten  and  civilize  the  African  mind,  they  agree : 

"  In  the  choice  of  Africa,  as  the  great  theatre  for  their 
operations,  they  agree  : 


LETTER  TO  CLAY  AND  BUXTON.  159 

"  In  the  principal  agents  to  be  employed  in  their  enter- 
prize,  free  persons  of  color  of  African  descent,  they  agree  : 

"  In  the  design  and  importance  of  endeavors,  by  peaceful 
and  fair  negotiation,  to  obtain  the  consent  of  the  chiefs, 
and  natives  of  Africa,  to  abolish  the  slave  trade,  they  agree : 

"  In  many  of  the  means  for  the  civilization  of  the  people 
of  Africa ;  the  establishment  of  schools,  for  literary  and 
religious  instruction,  of  manufactories  and  workshops,  in 
in  which  shall  be  taught,  the  useful  arts  ;  of  model  fanns, 
to  show  practically  the  best  modes  of  agriculture ;  in 
the  encouragement  of  Christian  missions,  and,  finally,  in 
the  purpose  of  demonstrating  to  the  view  of  the  inhabi- 
tants of  Africa,  how  they  may  avail  themselves  of  the  vast 
resources  of  their  country,  and  find  it  their  interest,  as  it 
is  their  duty,  to  abolish  the  traffic  in  slaves,  they  agree  : 

"  In  their  ideas  of  the  vast  extent  of  good  to  be  attained 
by  their  exertions,  tliey  agree  : 

"  On  two  points  only,  in  their  contemplated  operations 
in  Africa,  they  may  difFei",  yet  independent  of  any  reasons 
which  I  shall  be  able  to  offer  in  favor  of  a  perfect  union, 
I  am  not  sure,  that  even  on  these,  they  will  long  disagree. 

"  1  refer  first,  to  the  establishment  of  colonies  or  com- 
munities of  free  persons  of  color  in  Africa,  destined  to 
self-government  and  to  a  permanent  and  independent 
political  existence;  and  second,  to  the  question  of  tem- 
porary authority  to  be  exercised  over  such  colonies,  for 
their  benefit  by  the  Governments  of  England  or  the  United 
States.  The  able  Chairman  of  the  General  Committee  of 
the  Civilization  Society  has  indeed  declared,  that  their 
object  is  to  civilize,  not  to  colonize  ;  yet  in  the  same  let- 
ter he  adds,  '  It  is  true,  I  may  be  desirous  that  we  should 
form  settlements,  and  even  that  we  should  obtain  the  right 


160  MISSION. 

of  jurisdiction  in  certain  districts,  because  we  could  not 
otherwise  secure  a  fair  trial  or  full  scope  for  our  normal 
schools,  our  model  farms,  and  our  various  projects  to 
awaken  the  minds  of  the  natives,  to  prove  to  them  the 
importance  of  agriculture,  and  to  excite  the  spirit  of  com- 
merce ;'  and  Sir  George  Stephen  regards  colonization  (if 
we  mistake  not,)  as  a  thing  incidental,  if  not  necessary  to 
the  execution  of  the  plan  of  the  committee ;  and  while 
the  Chairman  desires  the  authority  of  the  G  overnment  to 
be  extended  over  such  territory  as  may  be  acquired,  one 
of  his  associates,  perhaps  not  less  distinguished  than  him- 
self, thinks  this  authority,  if  granted,  will  be  but  tempo- 
rary ;  and  that  free  men  of  color  from  all  parts  of  the 
world  will  soon  be  invited  and  assisted  to  occupy  this 
territory  as  independent  communities.  On  these  points 
it  is  clear  the  plans  of  the  Civilization  Society  are  not 
matured.  That  the  Governments  of  England  and  America 
should  extend,  for  a  time,  a  protecting  and  fostering  care 
over  colonies  planted  in  Africa  by  benevolent  individuals 
or  societies,  may  be  admitted ;  the  writer  has  on  proper 
occasions  urged  the  friends  of  the  African  race  in  America, 
to  make  their  appeal  to  the  several  governments  of  the 
Union  for  aid  to  the  cause  of  African  colonization  ;  yet 
neither  he  nor  they  have  once  thought  of  turning  from 
that  object  the  very  lode-star  in  their  policy — the  estab- 
lishment of  colonies  with  the  spirit,  ability,  and  right  to 
frame  and  build  up  their  own  social  and  political  institu- 
tions as  a  free  and  indepeadent  people. 

"For  one,  I  hold,  that  in  our  endeavors  to  civilize 
Africa,  it  is  unwise  to  rely  solely  or  mainly  upon  indi- 
vidual missionaries,  or  upon  any  companies  of  men  not 
bound  together  voluntarily  by  social  and  political  ties, 


LETTER  TO  CLAY  AND  BUXTON.  161 

and  that  the  colonial  system  of  England,  though  not  on  tlie 
whole  an  evil,*  is  very  imperfectly  adapted  to  develop 
the  power  and  exalt  the  character  of  the  native  popula- 
tion of  the  countries  over  which  it  extends.  The  author 
of  the  Avork  on  the  slave  trade,  and  its  remedy,  will  con- 
cur in  this  opinion.  But  to  multiply  colonies  of  free 
men  of  color  in  Africa,  on  the  principles  of  Liberia,  is  to 
introduce  impressive  examples  of  order,  law,  and  govern- 
ment, to  furnish  to  the  colonists  themselves  the  strongest 
and  most  animating  motives  for  improvement,  and  to 
command  the  respect  while  we  enlighten  the  minds  of  the 
native  population.  The  opinion  of  the  learned  and  able 
superintendent  of  the  Missions  of  the  London  Society,  at 
the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  (Dr.  Philip,)  is  entitled  to  high 

*  "  '  Our  colonies,  which,  owing  to  their  youth  and  distance  fi-om 
the  parent  state,  ought  to  have  excited  and  called  into  operation  a 
larger  share  of  maternal  interest,  have  been  sadly  misused.  The 
incalculable  riches  which  from  the  lap  of  abundance  they  may 
have  even  offered  to  pour  forth  on  the  shores  of  Albion,  have 
been  fatuitoiisly  in  many  instances,  rejected,  and  the  golden  oppor- 
tunity of  binding  with  a  silken  chain  of  commerce  the  east  and 
the  west,  and  the  south  and  the  north  of  the  empire,  too  often  sa- 
crificed for  the  sake  of  private  gain  and  the  promotion  of  selfish 
interests.  But  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  progress  of  knowledge — 
the  extension  of  colonial  commerce,  and  the  light  of  the  Gospel 
with  which  the  ministers  of  religion  are  illuminating  every  land, 
will  awaken  attention  to  the  transmarine  dominions  of  England, 
where  the  statesman,  guided  by  the  precepts  of  Christianity,  may 
fortify  our  empire  for  ages,  where  the  merchant  may  in  activity 
follow  his  peaceful  and  civilizing  pursuits,  where  the  naturalist 
may  delight  in  scenes  of  exquisite  and  endless  beauty,  adorned  with 
every  variety  of  the  animal  and  vegetable  creation,  where  the 
philanthropist  may  exult  in  the  progressive  improvement  of  his 
fellow  creatures,  and,  above  all,  where  the  Christian  may  rejoice 
in  the  anticipation  of  that  prophesied  kingdom  whose  branches 
and  roots  are  to  extend  throughout  the  universe.'  " — M.  Martin. 
14* 


162  Missiox. 

respect.  'I  say  nothing,'  he  observes,  'of  the  advantages 
America  may  gain  from  the  colony  of  Liberia,  or  of  the 
advantages  the  people  of  color  may  gain  from  becoming 
citizens  of  this  new  country.  1  leave  such  questions  to 
be  settled  by  the  citizens  of  the  United  States,  who  are 
by  their  local  knowledge  better  qualified  than  I  am  to 
decide  them.  But  so  far  as  our  plans  for  the  future 
improvement  of  Africa  are  concerned,  I  regard  this  settle- 
ment as  full  of  promise  to  this  unhappy  continent.  Half 
a  dozen  such  colonies,  conducted  on  Christian  principles, 
might  be  the  means,  under  the  Divine  blessing,  of  regen- 
erating this  degraded  quarter  of  the  globe.  Every  pro- 
spective measure  for  the  improvement  of  Africa  must  have 
in  it  the  seminal  principles  of  good  government,  and  no 
better  plan  can  be  devised  for  laying  the  foundation  of 
Christian  governments,  than  this  new  settlement  presents. 
Properly  conducted,  your  new  colony  may  become  an 
extensive  empire,  which  may  be  the  means  of  shedding 
the  blessings  of  civilization  and  peace  over  a  vast  portion 
of  this  divided  and  distracted  continent.' 

"  Concurring,  then,  in  many  and  very  essential  par- 
ticulars, as  well  as  in  benevolence  of  motive,  it  remains 
to  be  seen  whether  the  African  Civilization  Society  of 
England,  and  the  American  Colonization  Society,  will,  on 
those  just  specified,  ultimately  agree.  My  confidence,  at 
least,  hope,  that  they  will  do  so,  rests  upon  a  firm  con- 
viction that  the  principles  developed  and  applied  in  the 
colonization  of  Liberia,  are  so  just  in  theory,  and  benefi- 
cent in  practice,  as  finally  to  command  the  approbation 
of  all  philanthropists.  J  have  great  confidence  in  the 
candor,  reasonableness,  and  benevolence  of  the  African 
Civilization  Society,  and  of  the  good  people  of  England. 
They  have  recently  shown  an  ardent  and  generous  zeal 


LETTER  TO  CLAY  AND  BUXTON.  163 

in  the  cause  of  the  suflering  Africans.  I  believe  them 
capable  of  disinterested  and  glorious  deeds,  nor  do  I 
deem  mj'^  own  countrymen  less  capable  of  such  achieve- 
ments in  this  or  any  other  enterprize  of  humanity.  The 
two  nations  do  not  know,  respect,  trust,  or  love  each 
other  as  they  ought.  Of  one  descent  and  religion,  and 
living  for  common  objects,  the  Christians  of  both  coun- 
tries should  feel  bound  together  by  sacred  and  indisso- 
luble ties,  as  the  heirs  of  an  eternal  inheritance  and  com- 
munion, once  exalted  to  which,  (if  for  them  regret  and 
shame  there  exist,)  for  few  sins  will  they  experience  more 
than  for  their  violations  towards  each  other  of  justice, 
brotherly  kindness  and  charity. 

"  The  plan  of  colonizing  Africa,  developed  in  Liberia, 
I  regard  as  the  best  general  plan,  at  present,  for  the 
benefit  of  the  African  race. 

"  First.  Because  it  gives  the  noblest  exercise  to  the 
minds  of  those  who  engage  in  it,  and  thus  most  efiectu- 
ally  improves  and  elevates  their  character.  What  work 
more  honorable  than  to  lay  the  first  foundations  of  good 
government  and  the  church  of  God  ?  What  can  so 
arouse  the  minds  of  a  people,  or  so  fan  into  a  flame  their 
enthusiasm  for  virtue,  as  to  summon  them  to  great  and 
worthy  actions — to  give  existence  and  form  to  a  state, 
—  to  enact  and  administer  laws, — to  send  out  among 
uncivilized  and  untamed  men,  the  voice  of  instruction 
and  authority, — support  the  high  prerogatives  of  justice 
— and  as  responsible  to  posterity,  the  world,  and  to  God, 
to  mark  and  seal  the  institutions  of  a  ncAvly  organized 
society  with  indelible  characters  of  wisdom.  Nor  let  us 
think  the  people  we  would  colonize,  unsusceptible  to  the 
influence  of  lofty  motives,  or  that  by  self-discipline,  in 
circumstances  adapted  to  call  into  life  their  energies,  and 


164  MISSION. 

to  invigorate  them,  they  may  not  win  the  reputation  of 
wisdom.  In  minds  improved  only  as  theirs,  she  is  the 
daughter  of  experience  and  high  resolve.  The  free 
blacks  of  the  United  States,  and  many  of  the  slaves  also, 
are  in  that  state  from  which  nothing  great  is  to  be  ex- 
pected, while  they  continue  unexcited  and  in  the  shade 
of  a  greater  people,  but  from  which  they  must  rise  when 
untrammelled,  and  sent  forth  with  due  encouragements, 
to  build  up,  unopposed  by  superior  civilization,  on  the 
vast  and  rich  lands  of  their  mother  country,  their  own 
fortunes,  and  to  redeem  their  race.  Their  advantages  for 
this  work,  inferior  in  some  respects  to  those  of  the  first 
settlers  of  America,  are  superior  in  others.  With  less 
knowledge  of  letters,  they  have  more  of  the  useful  arts, 
of  the  free  spirit  of  Christianity,  and  of  the  practical 
operations  and  benefit  of  free  government.  They  have 
the  records  of  their  experience,  and  the  light  of  their 
example,  and  before  their  eyes  the  mighty  results  of  their 
deeds.  Commerce  brings  them  into  connection  with 
every  enlightened  and  powerful  people.  The  benevo- 
lence, the  missionary  spirit  of  a  great  nation,  a  spirit 
unequalled  in  any  preceding  age,  is  ready  to  second  their 
exertions.  Responsibilities  are  thrown  upon  them  of 
surpassing  interest  and  magnitude.  Millions,  their  breth- 
ren, bound  by  superstition  and  slavery,  appeal  to  them 
for  light  and  deliverance.  And,  finally,  defeat  must  be 
ruin,  while  success  will  be  the  attainment  of  every  earthly 
blessing  and  eternal  honor. 

"  The  plan  of  Liberian  colonization  is,  then,  peculiarly 
to  be  commended,  because  bringing  into  play  and  vigor- 
oiis  action  the  noblest  mental  faculties,  and  thus  elevating 
the  character  of  the  colonists.  I  know  of  no  other  plan 
which  does,  I  can  hardly  imagine  another  which  would 


LETTER  TO  CLAY  AND  BUXTON.         165 

do  this,  SO  eflectually.  Depressed  by  ages  of  servitude 
and  habits  of  dependence,  such  exercise  and  discipline 
the  African  race  especially  need ;  nor  without  it  can  we 
anticipate  their  rapid  or  great  improvement.  To  exalt 
human  character,  we  must  touch  the  springs  of  the  un- 
derstanding, and  move  the  deep  and  generous  passions 
of  the  heart. 

"  In  the  second  place,  I  regard  this  plan  as  chief  and 
best,  because  relying  mainly  for  success,  not  upon  preca- 
rious, individual,  or  transitory  effort,  but  upon  the  per- 
manency, growth,  and  moral  influence  of  well  organized 
communities. 

"  A  few  individuals  might  die,  a  few  schools  be  broken 
up,  a  company  of  missionaries,  animated  by  the  purest 
motives,  and  prepared  to  sacrifice  every  interest  for  the 
Christian  cause,  might  be  cut  off  by  disease,  or  dispersed 
or  slain  by  savage  foes ;  but  a  well-founded  common- 
wealth is  destined,  ordinarily,  to  a  continued  and  increas- 
ing existence.  Though  feeble  in  its  origin,  it  has  within 
it  durable  elements  of  life  and  poAver.  The  settlement 
rises  into  a  state,  the  state  to  empire.  The  colony  of 
Liberia  has  already,  within  itself,  the  means  of  self- 
defence  and  self-improvement.  And  if,  in  two  centuries, 
the  republic  of  North  America,  embracing  a  population 
of  more  than  seventeen  millions,  has  arisen  from  the 
humble  beginnings  of  civilization  on  the  shores  of  New 
England  and  Virginia,  we  may  hope  that  our  African  set- 
tlements, so  attractive  (if  politically  free  and  morally  de- 
serving,) as  they  must  be  to  the  exiled  children  of  Africa, 
will  rapidly  expand  into  communities  commanding  re- 
spect by  their  wealth  and  numbers,  their  intelligence  and 
strength.  Their  sons,  natives  of  the  soil,  educated  in  all 
the  arts  of  civilization,  and  in  the  doctrines  and  wisdom 


166  MISSION. 

of  Christianity,  will  go  forth,  not  by  hundreds  but  thou- 
sands, to  instruct  barbarous  and  degraded  tribes,  and 
lead  them  to  knowledge  and  liberty,  and  the  worship  of 
the  true  God.  I  et  them  convert  the  wildernesses  of 
Africa  into  fruitful  fields,  her  savage  and  enslaved  people 
into  civilized  men,  her  victims  of  a  cruel  superstition 
into  the  meek  disciples  of  Christ;  let  them  'build  one 
great  city,'*  for  beauty  and  strength  to  be  admired,  and 
demonstrate  their  ability  honorably  to  fulfil  all  the  duties 
of  an  independent  slate,  and  the  reproach  of  their  race, 
and  African  slavery  throughout  the  world  must  for  ever 
cease.  The  plan,  then,  is  admirable,  because  designed 
to  trust,  for  the  elevation  of  the  African  race,  not  to  un- 
certain, uncombined,  and  transitory  efforts,  but  to  the 
bringing  into  existence  and  action  the  mighty  moral  ma- 
chinery of  a  well-formed  and  compacted  state. 

"  In  the  third  place,  I  cannot  but  regard  this  plan  as 
worthy  of  unive/sal  and  all  possible  support,  because  (if 
I  may  continue  the  figure,)  this  moral  machinery  is 
rightly  placed — in  Africa.  The  colony,  or  colonies,  are 
to  be  established  in  Africa:  the  country  of  the  African 
race,  where  most  of  them  reside,  the  seat  of  their  ancient 
greatness,  and  of  their  more  recent,  long-continued,  and 
present  sufferings  and  disgrace,  where  alone,  if,  as  a  peo- 
ple, they  are  to  be  civilized  and  taught  the  truths  of  our 
religion,  the  work  can  be  accomplished.  Here  the  intel- 
lectual and  moral  power  should  be  planted,  to  act  as 
from  a  centre,  most  rapidly,  extensively,  and  effectively 
to  redress  the  wrongs  and  renovate  the  character  of  the 
race.  Its  benefits  will  not  be  limited  to  Africa.  A  civi- 
lized state  of  colored  emigrants  upon  her  shore  will  be 

*  Dr.  Breckenridge. 


LETTER  TO  CLAY  AND  BUXTON.         167 

an  object  of  universal  interest,  react  to  raise  their  breth- 
ren in  all  th.ose  countries  from  which  t!ie  colonists  have 
come  forth,  disturb  no  passions  of  jealousy  or  fear,  but 
speak  persuasively  to  all  hearts  in  favor  of  emancipation, 
and  thus  not  only  shed  light  upon  Africa,  but  upon  the 
destiny  of  all  her  children.  It  has  been  well  said  that, 
raise  the  character  of  a  '  single  man  of  color,  and  you 
do  a  benefit  to  his  race  ;'*  and  we  may  add,  let  one  com- 
monwealth x>r  nation  of  Africans  attain  honorable  dis- 
tinction, and  their  brethren  in  ail  lands,  and  Africa  iier- 
self  are  free.  The  work  should  be  done  in  Africa ;  for  if 
it  could  be  done  elsewhere,  nowhere  else  could  it  be 
done  so  advantageously  or  so  well.  Ilcic  are  by  far  the 
greatest  number  of  Africans,  and  this  the  seat  of  the 
slave  trade  and  their  most  wide-spread  and  appalling 
miseries.  All  the  peculiar  evils  which  alllict  Africans 
centre  here,  and  here  only  can  we  attack  their  foes  in 
the  fortresses  of  their  strength. 

"  Fourthly,  every  candid  and  reHecling  man,  in  addi- 
tion to  these  reasons  for  giving  support  to  this  j)lan,  may 
find  inducement  in  the  facts,  that  it  most  efTeciually  pro- 
motes emancipation — aims  to  secure  for  the  people  of 
color  now  free,  and  those  who  may  be  manumitted,  and 
to  their  race,  a  good  far  above  and  beyond  mere  emanci- 
pation— and,  finally,  that  avoiding  angry  colli.-^icns  and 
controversies,  combining  more  elements  in  which  the 
friends  of  the  Africans  agree,  and  fewer  in  wliich  they 
difTsr,  than  any  other ;  if  in  itself  no  better,  it  may  be 
more  productive  of  good,  because  strengthened  by  the 
union  of  more  minds,  it  may  be  executed  with  greater 
power. 

•  Dr.  Bacon. 


168  Missio-v. 

"  For  evidence  that  it  promotes  emancipation,  I  appeal 
to  the  opinion  and  testimony  of  all  sober  and  Christian 
men  in  the  southern  States  of  the  American  Union.  No 
one  acquainted  with  these,  will  deny  that  they  confirm 
my  statement.  And  certainly  the  judgment  of  those 
men,  of  the  effects  of  moral  causes  operating  in  the 
midst  of  them,  is  not  to  be  disregarded. 

"  By  providing  a  home  for  the  liberated,  preferable  to 
that  in  Avhich  they  must  unequally  contend  with  the 
abilities  and  influence  of  the  whites,  it  encourages  the 
humanity  that  disposes  to  emancipation. 

"  By  the  same  means,  it  removes  one,  probably  the 
greatest  obstacle  to  emancipation,  founded  in  the  appre- 
hensions of  collision  between  the  colored  and  white 
races,  should  both  be  free  upon  the  same  soil ;  an  evil 
which  it  is  thought  would  be  worse  than  slavery  itself. 

"  By  demonstrating  how  emancipation  in  the  United 
States  may  (as  on  no  other  plan  it  would,)  secure  the 
highest  boon  of  freedom,  to  the  manumitted,  an  indepen- 
dent political  existence,  and  through  their  agency  contri- 
bute to  work  out  the  redemption  of  their  whole  race,  it 
supplies  to  the  honor  and  Christianity  of  the  master  the 
most  powerful  motives  for  the  act. 

"  And,  finally,  it  has  secured  the  voluntary  manumis- 
sion of  slaves  (about  two  thousand,)  in  value  (viewed  as 
property,)  nearly,  if  not  quite,  equal  to  the  Avhole 
amount  of  funds  given  for  the  establishment  of  Liberia ; 
while  its  influence  to  prepare  for  future  emancipations  it 
were  diflicult  to  estimate. 

"This  plan  of  African  colonization  seeks  for  the  free 
people  of  color,  for  those  that  may  become  free,  and 
through  them  for  their  race,  a  good  far  higher  than  mere 
emancipation. 


LETTER  TO  CLAY  AND  BUXTON.         169 

"  He  must  be  ignorant  of  the  social  and  political  con- 
dition of  the  United  Slates,  who  imagines  that  emancipa- 
tion to  tlie  slaves  there,  if  it  could  be  effected,  and  they 
remain  on  the  soil,  would  prove  for  some  centuries,  at 
least,  if  a  benefit,  more  than  a  very  limited  and  imper- 
fect one.  Bat  the  scheme  Avliich  we  advocate,  opens  to 
them  the  treasures  of  tlie  best  ordered  and  most  favored 
existence,  the  means  of  thoroughly  developing  and  com- 
bining their  energies — of  ascending,  not  individually,  but 
as  a  people,  to  wealth,  and  fame,  and  power — of  culti- 
vating every  field  and  advancing  in  every  path  of  national 
improvement,  and  beneficence,  and  glory.  What  othei* 
plan  spreads  out  before  them  so  fruitful  and  inviting  an 
inheritance,  or  reveals  in  the  distant  horizon  such  bright 
and  shining  lights } 

"That  this  plan  embraces  more  points  in  which  the 
friends  of  the  African  race  agree,  and  fewer  in  which 
they  difier  than  any  other,  must  be  regarded  in  its  favor; 
for  though  general  opinion,  that  a  scheme  is  right,  does 
not  necessarily  make  it  so,  such  opinion  cannot  be  disre- 
garded, but  must  always  enter  into  the  calculations  of  a 
wise  man.  And  as  the  effects  of  most  schemes  depend 
very  much  upon  the  manner  of  their  execution,  one 
which  for  its  success  demands  the  united  exertions  of 
communities  or  nations,  may  ofl'er  valid  reasons  for  its 
support  in  the  fact,  that  the  general  verdict  of  opinion 
may  probably  be  pronoimced  in  its  favor.  Indeed,  a  plan 
theoretically  the  best,  if  certain  to  be  condemned,  retarded, 
opposed,  may  be  less  deserving  support  than  an  inferior 
one  generally  approved,  and  which  can  be  wisely  and 
energetically  executed. 

"  Two  plans  of  general  policy  on  this  subject  divide 
the  friends  of  the  colored  race  in  England  and  America. 
15 


170 


MISSIOX. 


The  one  is  sustained  by  those  who,  turning-  from  all  the 
wrongs  and  miseries  of  Africa,  direct  their  etibrts  mainly, 
if  not  solely,  to  the  emancipation  of  all  slaves  in  Chris- 
tian countries,  by  sounding-  out  the  doctrine  of  immediate 
abolition  as  a  duty  to  be  instantly  performed  by  masters 
in  recognition  of  the  inherent  right  of  the  slave, — the 
other  by  the  African  Civilization  Society,  and  by  those 
Avho,  by  founding  free  states  of  voluntary  colored  emi- 
grants in  Africa,  look  for  emancipation  and  the  elevation 
of  her  children  to  the  success  and  moral  influence  of  this 
experiment.  That  the  colonization  scheme  avoids  those 
collisions  and  angry  controversies  inevitably  connected 
with  the  scheme  of  Abolition  is  certain  ;  and  that  the  ele- 
ments of  most  efficient  and  extensive  union  are  with  the 
colonizationists  and  not  with  abolitionists,  I  hold  to  be 
equally  clear.  That  the  two  schemes  do  not  necessarily 
conflict  •,  that  the  same  person  may,  Avithout  inconsis- 
tency, advocate  both,  I  admit ;  yet  a  union  at  present  of 
the  citizens  of  the  southern  states  of  the  American  Con- 
federacy with  the  philanthropists  of  other  states  or  coun- 
tries, for  the  benefit  of  the  people  of  color,  on  any  other 
than  the  colonization  plan,  is  not  to  be  expected.  This 
fact  will  prevent  most  of  the  citizens  of  the  non-slave- 
liolding  states  from  entering  into  associations  of  their 
own,  or  combining  their  eflforts  with  foreign  associations, 
on  the  abolition  plan.  They  know  that  nothing  can  be 
Avisely,  humanely,  or  efliectually  done  for  the  abolition  of 
slavery,  but  with  the  will  and  consent  of  the  masters, 
and  that  they  are  bound  in  good  faith,  and  by  the  consti- 
tution of  the  country,  to  forbear  all  attempts  to  control 
or  disturb  the  peculiar  institutions  of  the  south.  They 
desire  the  liberty  of  the  slave,  but  love  honor,  fidelity, 
and  that  union,  in  the  stability  of  which  is  involved  the 


LETTER  TO  CLAY  AND  BUXTON.  171 

cause  of  republican  freedom,  as  Avell  as  the  best  hopes 
of  the  slave,  more.  Seven-tenths  at  least,  of  tjie  wliite 
population  of  the  United  States,  I  believe  to  be  coloniza- 
tionists :  not  because  (in  so  far  as  the  people  of  the  non- 
slave-holding  states  are  concerned,)  of  opposition  to 
emancipation,  with  permission  to  the  liberated  to  remain 
upon  the  soil,  should  this  be  approved  by  the  south,  but 
that,  not  being  at  present  thus  approved,  they  will  not 
usurp  the  right  of  intervention  in  the  case  •,  and  because, 
convinced  that  the  colonization  plan  has  great  and  com- 
prehensive merit,  that  in  no  other  will  the  south  concur ; 
and  that  if  this  plan  be  not  a  remedy  for  slavery,  it  is 
preparing  the  way  for  such  remedy. 

"  I  will  not  question  the  honesty  and  benevolence  of 
the  great  body  of  English  and  American  abolitionists,  yet 
I  regard  many  of  their  writings  and  proceedings  as  unjust 
to  the  people  of  the  United  States,  particularly  to  the 
slave-holders,  and  pernicious  in  all  their  tendencies.  No 
one  can  more  desire  than  the  writer  to  see  modification 
and  amendment  of  the  legal  codes  of  the  slave-holding 
states  in  favor  of  the  slaves.  Atrocious  crimes  and  cru- 
elties are  doubtless  occasionally  committed,  in  those 
states,  on  the  persons  of  slaves.  In  what  coiuitry  are 
not  oppression,  cruelty,  and  crime  found^to  exist .?  Have 
they  no  existence  in  England  ?  Generally,  (and  I  speak 
from  personal  observation  and  inquiry  in  nearly  all  tlip. 
southern  states  of  the  American  republic,)  the  citizens  of 
those  states  are  kind,  humane,  generous,  and,  in  a  pro- 
portion to  the  whole  population,  equal  to  that  foimd 
in  }nost  parts  of  Christendom  —  devout  and  exemplary 
Christians,  No  better  friends  have  the  slaves  in  any 
part  of  the  world  than  are  to  be  found  in  those  states. 
Cases  of  harsh  treatment,  of  severe  punishment,  of  wan- 


]72  MISSION'. 

ton  disregard  of  their  feelings,  of  the  voluntary  and  cruel 
rupture  of  their  domestic  ties,  of  withholding  from  them 
the  necessaries  of  life,  or  denying  to  them  opportunities 
to  hear  Christian  instruction  and  worship  God,  are  not 
common  —  they  are  exceptions,  not  the  rule.  Liabilities 
to  evil  in  the  system  of  slavery  are  great ;  trying  separa- 
tions and  wrongs  among  slaves  are  frequent ;  yet  many 
laws  which  darken  the  statute  books  of  the  slave-holding 
states,  are  in  practice  nearly,  if  not  quite,  obsolete ;  and 
humanity  and  religion  are  exerting  a  mighty  and  increas- 
ing influence  for  the  protection  and  good  of  this  depen- 
dent people. 

"  IMany,  very  many,  masters  and  slaves  are  bound  to- 
gether by  the  ties  of  mutual  confidence  and  affection.  A 
large  proportion  of  the  slaves  exhibit  an  aspect  of  com- 
fort, contentment,  and  cheerfulness.  There  is  much  to 
regret,  much  to  condemn,  fearful  evils  which  are  perhaps 
never  brought  to  light,  in  the  system  of  slavery,  yet  all 
things  (the  very  heavens  themselves  as  some  would  re- 
present,) are  not  wrapt  in  gloom.  It  is  not  to  diminish 
the  general  sense  of  the  injustice  as  well  as  impolicy  of 
slavery,  viewed  as  a  permanent  system,  that  I  thus  write, 
nor  that  I  would  lessen  the  moral  powers  that  are  work- 
ing for  its  abolition,  but,  in  reference  to  truth,  and  because 
he  is  blind  who  sees  not  that  injustice  to  the  master  is 
injury  and  a  crime  against  the  sjave.  He  who  bears  false 
witness  against  me,  and  seeks  to  destroy  my  reputation, 
must  not  expect  to  be  my  counsellor.  If  the  abolition- 
ists of  New  England  and  of  Old  England  have  no  influ- 
ence among  American  slave-holders,  and  little  with  the 
citizens  generally  of  the  United  States,  to  their  errors  in 
principle,  and  more  to  their  faults  and  offences  in  prac- 
tice, must  they  trace  the  cause.     If  their  errors  and  faults 


LETTER  TO  CLAY  AND  BUXTON.  173 

originate  in  ignorance,  they  miglit  be  pardoned,  and  may 
be  corrected ;  but  while  persisted  in,  they  sunder  all 
bonds  of  respect  and  moral  union  between  their  authors 
and  the  citizens  of  the  southern  states  of  America,  and 
indeed  of  a  great  majority  of  the  Americans.  Tliey  tend 
to  produce  between  England  and  America  hostile  senti- 
ments, perhaps  actual  war.  Indeed,  having  excluded 
themselves  utterly  from  the  confidence  of  those  upon 
whom,  under  Providence,  depend  the  hopes  and  destiny 
of  the  slave  population,  some  of  their  number,  in  the 
ardor  of  their  ill-regulated  enthusiasm  and  the  darkness 
of  their  perverted  understandings,  are  ready  to  stake  upon 
war,  the  success  of  their  cause.  But  the  idea  that  Eng- 
land should  make  war  upon  America  to  abolish  slavery, 
is  so  unmerciful  toAvards  the  slaves,  as  well  as  preposte- 
rous and  atrocious  in  every  respect,  that  I  doubt  not  it 
will  be  reprobated  by  the  general  reason  and  humanity 
of  the  English  nation.  As  I  wish  to  show  that  the  prin- 
ciples of  extensive  and  eflicient  union  for  the  benefit  of 
the  African  race  are  with  the  colonizationists  and  not  Avith 
the  abolitionists,  I  deem  it  pertinent  to  quote  tAVO  or  three 
passages  from  recent  abolition  publications  irt  England, 
containing  sentiments  which,  if  their  follj^  did  not  equal 
their  Avickedness,  Avould  be  alarming  to  the  true  friends 
of  the  slaves  and  of  peace. 

"On  the  14th  of  September  last,  Mr.  Remond,  a  man 
of  color,  from  the  United  States,  addressed  a  public  meet- 
ing of  the  Glasgow  Anti-slavery  Society,  in  the  Kev.  Dr. 
Heugh's  church,  and  among  other  things  said — 

" '  Such  Avas  the  state  of  things  on  the  opposite  side  of 

the  Atlantic ;  and  noAv  he  would  put  the  question,  what 

were  the  friends  of  anti-slavery  in  Britain  to  do  for  the 

abolition  cause.     A  reference  Avas,  in  the  letter  he  had 

51* 


174  MISSION. 

read,  made  to  the  north-east  boundary  question.  After 
referring  to  the  ardent  desire  for  war  vith  England,  mani- 
fested by  the  State  of  Maine,  about  a  few  acres  of  land, 
and  their  inconsistency  in  i-efusing  to  give  liberty  to  the 
slave,  Mr.  Remond  proceeded  to  show  that  a  war  with 
England  w^ould  inevitably  lead  to  the  emancipation  of 
the  slaves.  He  believed  that  England  held  the  means  in 
her  own  hands  in  relation  to  the  system  of  slavery,  and 
lie  trusted  she  would  not  shrink  from  the  contest;  for, 
dearly  as  he  loved  his  country,  and  to  dwell  upon  the 
associations  which  he  had  experienced  there,  he  felt  that 
emancipation  from  any  other  quarter  was  not  to  be  hoped 
for — and  God  grant  that  it  might  arrive  early.  The 
American  nation,  he  observed,  had  every  thing  to  lose  by 
a  contest  with  England.  This  sentiment,  he  knew,  might 
cost  him  his  head ;  he  knew  he  would  be  in  danger,  the 
moment  he  stepped  on  his  native  shore,  for  having  given 
expression  to  such  views  as  these,  but  he  cared  not ;  it 
would  at  least  be  known  that  one  colored  American  had 
dared  to  speak  freely  and  boldly  on  this  subject.  (Cheers.) 
He  would  not  give  up  the  privilege  and  the  prerogative 
of  speaking  out,  as  a  free  man,  while  the  breath  was  in 
his  body.         #         *         *         *         #  Let  there  be 

war  between  England  and  America,  and  the  shackles 
which  now  held  so  many  in  bondage  in  his  country 
would  be  broken  to-morrow.' 

"The  Rev.  Mr.  Keep,  from  the  Oberlin  Institution, 
United  States,  attempted  to  apologise  to  the  audience  for 
the  warmth  of  his  friend,  Mr.  Remond,  who  is  subse- 
quently reported  to  have  said — 

"'He  would  not  have  any  one  suppose  that  he  would 
return  to  his  country  with  the  view  of  inciting  the  slave 
to  insurrection  asrainst  his  master.     He  did  not  think  it 


LETTER  TO  CLAY  AND  BUXTON,         175 

would  be  necessary ;  for  he  believed  the  slave  would  be 
freed  only  by  the  progress  of  peaceful  truth.  He  only 
spoke  what  were  his  own  sentiments  in  relation  to  him- 
self; and  he  did  not  wish  to  soften  down  the  sentiment 
in  the  least.         ***** 

"  I  leave  it  to  those  who  can  better  reconcile  differ- 
ences than  myself,  to  show  Mr.  Remond's  consistency 
in  urging  a  war  as  affording  the  only  hope  for  emancipa- 
tion, and  then  avowing  a  belief  that  the  slave  would  be 
freed  only  by  the  progress  of  Christian  truth. 

"The  editor  of  a  newspaper  (published,  if  we  mistake 
not,  at  Ipswich,)  gives  the  following  paragraph  evincing 
ignorance,  and  marked  by  sentiments  better  suited  to  the 
inmate  of  a  lunatic  hospital  than  to  one  standing  forth 
as  adviser  of  a  humane,  wise,  and  puissant  nation. 

" '  We  are  afraid  there  is  a  wish  on  the  part  of  the 
thousands  in  America,  who  are  implicated  in  the  slave 
traffic,  to  provoke  hostilities  with  England,  in  order  to 
divert  attention  from  the  abolition  question,  and  get  rid 
of  the  present  agitation  created  by  the  laudable  perse- 
verance of  philanthropists  in  both  countries.  If  war  be 
inevitable,  our  heart's  desire  is,  that  it  may  lead  to  the 
annihilation  of  American  slavery.  The  horrors  of  the 
slave  system,  as  pursued  in  the  southern  States,  are  un- 
utterable ;  nothing  that  the  Vv'ildest  imagination  can  con- 
ceive, surpasses  the  cruelties  inflicted  on  the  wretched 
negro  victims ;  and  if  it  were  in  our  power  to  stir  up  the 
spirit  of  the  slaves  to  rebel  against  the  heartless  planters, 
and  by  one  effort  shake  off  their  fetters,  we  would  use 
that  pow^er,  though  all  America  were  thrown  into  dis- 
order, and  presented  one  wide  field  of  bankruptcy  and 
ruin.      If   the  sword  of  Great  Britain  should   be  un- 


176  MISSION. 

sliealhed,  let  her  not  draw  back  her  hand  until  she  has 
secured  the  freedom  of  the  slave.  *         #         # 

"' We  would  that  America  had  listened  to  the  voice 
of  reason  and  mild  remonstrance  from  the  British  shores, 
and  suppressed  the  lingering  abomination  amidst  the 
acclaiming  cheers  of  humanity;  but  she  persists  in  the 
unholy  traffic  —  she  welcomes  to  her  shores  the  infernal 
slave  ship,  filled  with  bales  of  human  merchandize  — 
she  still  promotes  the  detestable  system  of  slave-breeding 
in  her  States  —  she  heeds  not  the  groans  and  tears  which 
fill  her  land,  the  boasted  land  of  freedom,  equality,  and 
civilization. 

"'The  horizon  is  dark  and  troubled  —  we  know  not 
where  war  Avith  America  will  end — her  curse  is  of 
slavery ;  of  all  the  dangers  that  threaten  her,  that  of 
slavery  is  the  greatest — she  is  wedded  to  the  evil,  and  to 
utter  the  word  abolition,  in  the  southern  States,  would  be 
to  defy  death.  What  is  the  duty  of  England,  is  a  seri- 
ous inquiry.  We  Avish  for  nothing  but  moral  influence  ; 
but  if  there  must  be  physical  conflict,  let  not  the  Aboli- 
tionists, even  in  war,  be  diverted  from  their  course,  but 
strive  more  energetically  to  merge  all  dissensions  and 
distinctions  in  the  overwhelming  unity  of  demand — 
annihilate  slavery  in  Jlmerica? 

"  In  the  number  of  Frazer''s  Magazine  for  the  present 
month,  (April,)  appears  an  article  entitled,  '  War  with 
America  a  blessing  to  mankind.'  While  calculated 
(we  fear  designed,)  to  stir  the  passions  of  the  unthink- 
ing, to  Avell  informed  and  virtuous  minds,  the  falsehood 
of  its  statements  and  its  detestable  sentiments,  carry  Avith 
them  their  antidote.     While  this  sage  writer  sees  no  hope 


LETTER  TO  CLAY  AND  BUXTON.  177 

of  success  in  any  war  with  America  which  sliould  fail 
to  arouse  tlae  slaves  to  general  insurrection,  in  tlie  ex- 
citement of  these  people  to  a  murderous  contest  for 
liberty,  he  discerns  the  means  of  a  short  and  easy  con- 
clusion of  the  struggle :  '  A  conclusion  in  every  way 
honorable  and  advantageous  to  England,  and  in  the  high- 
est degree  desirable  to  the  whole  human  race.' 

" '  America,  (he  says)  in  one  respect,  is  the  most  sinful 
nation  in  the  world  ;  and  in  her  sin,  as  Divine  and  retri- 
butive justice  ordinarily  provides,  she  finds  her  weakness 
and  her  punishment.  S'le  holds  nearly  three  millions  of 
unofiending  human  creatures  in  the  most  cruel  bondage ; 
in  a  thraldom  iiifin'  e'y  worse  than  Eg5'ptian,  Turkish,  or 
Sclavonian.  In  fact,  Ave  doubt  if  the  annals  of  the  human 
race  afford  an  example  of  any  system  of  oppression  at 
all  approaching  to  that  which  is  proved,  on  the  clearest, 
fullest,  and  most  irrefragable  evidence,  to  exist  in  a  coun- 
try which  vaunts  itself  to  be  the  freest  nation  on  the  face 
of  the  earth.' 

"  After  quoting  evidence  concerning  the  atrocities  of 
American  slavery,  from  a  work  entitled  '  Slavery  and  the 
Internal  Slave  Trade  in  the  United  Siates^''  by  the  ExTe- 
cutive  Committee  of  the  American  Anti-Slaverj'  Society,  a 
work  as  fairly  and  justly  representing  American  slavery 
and  the  American  character,  as  the  records  of  the  London 
police  offices,  the  trials  at  the  Old  Bailey,  or  the  JVewgate 
Calender^  would  the  character  of  tiie  English  people,  and 
introducing  the  shocking  details  of  two  cases,  in  which 
colored  men,  murderers,  had  been  burnt  by  mobs,  with 
the  remark,  '  We  will  adduce  only  a  sample  or  two  of 
what  seems  a  common  practice  in  the  slave  states  of 
America,'  he  adds  :  — 

" '  Such,  then,  is  the  sin  and  weakness  of  America.     It 


178  MISSION. 

may  be  a  doubtful  point,  liow  far  another  nation  would 
be  justified,  in  a  time  of  peace,  in  eniljarking  in  a  crusade 
of  philanthropy,  and  endeavoring  to  force  an  independent 
people  into  the  relinquisliment  of  a  national  sin.  But 
what  possible  doubt  can  exist  as  to  the  propriety,  the 
expediency — nay,  the  absolute  duty,  of  making  a  Avar 
subservient  to  the  great  and  pre-eminent  object  of  freeing 
these  three  millions  of  cruelly  oppressed  human  beings  ? 

"'Policy,  too,  not  less  than  philanthropy,  prescribes 
such  a  course  of  warfare.  By  this  mode,  and  this  only, 
a  war  with  America  might  be  broiight  to  a  speedy  and 
inevitably  triumphant  close.  As  w^e  have  already  ob- 
served, a  struggle  betw'een  the  people  of  England  and 
their  descendants  in  America,  must  be  a  fearful,  a  pro- 
tracted, and  a  lamentable  one.  But  if  assailed  in  this 
quarter,  a  vital  point  is  instantly  and  surely  reached — 
the  Union  is  dissolved,  and  the  war  is  at  an  end. 

" '  Among  the  three  millions  ^  slaves,  w^e  may  fairly 
calculate  the  adult  males  at  nearly  one  million.  Every 
man  of  all  tliis  multitude  Avould  eagerly  rush  to  embrace 
an  emancipating  invader,  and  within  a  fcAV  days'  sail  of 
the  coast,  repose  the  free  and  happy  blacks  of  Jamaica. 
Jn  one  morning  a  force  of  ten  thousand  men  might  he 
raised  in  this  quarter,  for  the  enfranchisement  of  their 
brethren  in  America.      *  *  *  * 

" '  We  say,  that  this  course  is  dictated  alike  by  policy, 
by  self-preservation,  and  by  philanthropy.  By  policy — 
for  nothing  Avould  render  our  own  possessions  so  secure 
as  a  dissolution  of  the  Union — an  inevitable  result  of 
this  line  of  action.  By  self-preservation — for  England 
must  not  venture  to  involve  herself  in  a  protracted  con- 
test in  a  distant  quarter  of  the  globe.  By  philanthropy 
—  which  tells  us  that  if,  contrary  to  our  own  inclina- 


LETTER  TO  CLAY  AND  BUXTO.V.  179 

tions,  wc  are  dragged  into  this  unnatural  war,  it  is  our 
duty  at  least  to  endeavor  to  bring  good  out  of  evil.  In 
whatever  way,  then,  we  contemplate  the  subject,  wc 
come  to  this  conclusion : 

"'If  we  must  have  a  war  with  America, let  us  make  it 
a  war  for  the  emancipation  of  the  slaves ;  so  shall  our 
success  be  certain,  and  our  triumph  the  triumph  of  hu- 
manity.' 

"Some  indignation  we  might  feel  at  these  remarks, 
were  they  not  absolutely  ludicrous,  and  the  parting  coun- 
sels to  the  English  Government  to  take  possession  of 
Cuba,  such  as  might  produce  smiles  rather  than  anger  in 
the  United  States. 

" '  Now,'  he  observes, '  England  could,  if  she  chose, 
very  speedily  put  an  end  to  slavery. 

"'The  three  great  markets  for  slaves  —  to  supply 
which  the  trade  is  kept  up — are  the  United  States,  Brazil, 
and  Cuba.  The  first  of  these,  we  feel  persuaded,  will 
be  broken  up  whenever  a  war  breaks  out ;  and  even 
without  a  war,  the  "System  would  lead  to  some  dreadful 
internal  convulsion  before  long.  But  the  last  of  these, 
Cuba,  is  open  to  our  approaches  even  at  this  moment. 

" '  Cuba  belongs  to  the  crown  of  Spain.  But  what  is 
the  crown  of  Spain? — a  shado\v. 

'"It  is  abundantly  obvious  that  England  could  add 
Cuba  to  her  colonies  to-morrow,  if  she  chose  to  do  so. 
But  could  she  do  so  with  justice  and  honor  ?  Most  un- 
questionably she  might.  Has  not  England  expended 
upon  Spain,  Avithin  the  last  twenty  years,  many  millions 
of  sterling  money,'  &c. 

"  From  works  more  grave,  such  as  the  British  Critic, 
the  Eclectic  Review,  and  the  Congregational  Magazine, 
the  pages  of  which  are  enriched  by  the  thoughts  of  sober 


180  MISSION. 

and  charitable  divines,  recent  passages  might  be  cited 
showing  that  even  enlightened  minds  in  England  are 
misinformed  or  misled  on  the  subject  of  American  sla^^e- 
ry,  and  the  Colonization  Society.  They  consider  '■Ame- 
rican slavery  as  it  is,'  and  the  work  on  '  Slavery  and  the 
internal  slave  trade  in  the  United  Slates^''  as  giving  a  just 
general  view  of  that  slavery,  whereas  a  detail  of  crime 
connected  with  the  manufacturing,  or  poor-law  systems 
of  England,  would  give  as  just  a  view  of  those  systems. 
I  have  no  wish  to  recriminate.  But  a  remedy  for  our 
censoriousness  towards  the  faults  of  others  may  often  be 
found  in  reflection  upon  our  own  \  and  Divine  wisdom 
instructs  us  that  to  condemn  the  sms  of  others  is  no 
virtue,  while  guilty  ourselves  of  doing  the  same  things. 
Besides,  he  who  is  ignorant  of  the  sentiments  of  others 
towards  him,  or  disregards  them,  will  find  tliat  purity  of 
motive  does  not  always  give  him  influence,  and  that  his 
good  intentions  will  find  the  door  closed,  unless  humility, 
discretion,  and  charity,  have  first  opened  it.  Let,  then, 
the  pious  and  philanthropic  of  England,  her  learned  and 
venerable  clergy,  imagine  with  what  sentiments  they 
would  peruse,  in  an  American  magazine,  or  review,  the 
following  article,  and  they  will  understand  the  impres- 
sions Avhich  the  passages  we  have  quoted  will  make 
upon  the  American  people. 

"'a  war  with  ENGLAND  A  BLESSING  TO  MANKIND. 

"'The  arrogance,  pride,  and  selfishness  of  the  English 
nation  are  insuflerable.  Wc  are  no  friends  to  war,  but 
are  not  sure  that  a  declaration  of  hostilities  against  this 
haughty  and  oppressive  power,  is  not  a  duty  to  ourselves 
and  to  mankind.  With  high  professions  of  respect  to 
justice  and  the  rights  of  man,  England  has  for  centuries 


LETTER  TO  CLAY  AND  HUXTON.         181 

continued  to  violate  both  to  an  incredible  extent,  and 
without  remorse.  Think  of  her  conduct  towards  this 
country.  Compare  it  with  our  own  towards  her  (the 
best  English  statesmen  themselves  being  judges,)  in  the 
great  contest  of  the  revolution. 

"'The  Earl  of  Chatham  said  —  'Your  ministers  have 
gone  to  Germany,  they  have  sought  the  alliance  and 
assistance  of  every  pitiful,  beggarly,  insignificant,  petty 
prince,  to  cut  the  throats  of  their  legal,  brave,  and  injured 
brethren  in  America.  They  have  entered  into  mercenary 
treaties.  They  have  let  the  savages  of  America  loose 
upon  their  unoffending  brethren ;  loose  upon  the  weak, 
the  aged,  and  defenceless ;  on  old  men,  women,  and 
children ;  on  the  very  babes  upon  the  breast ;  to  bo  cut, 
mangled,  sacrificed,  boiled,  roasted,  nay,  to  be  literally 
eaten.  These,  my  Lords,  are  the  allies  Great  Britain  now 
has.  Carnage,  desolation,  and  destruction  wherever  her 
arms  are  carried,  is  her  newly  adopted  mode  of  making 
war.  Our  ministers  have  made  alliances  at  the  German 
shambles ;  and  with  the  barbarians  of  America,  with  the 
merciless  torturers  of  their  species.  Where  they  will 
next  apply,  I  cannot  tell.  Was  it  by  letting  loose  the 
savages  of  America,  to  imbrue  their  hands  in  the  blood 
of  our  enemies,  that  the  duties  of  the  soldier,  the  citizen, 
and  the  man,  came  to  be  united.  Is  this  honorable  war- 
fare, my  Lords  ?  Does  it  correspond  with  the  language 
of  the  poet  ?  '  The  pride,  pomp,  circumstance,  of  glori- 
ous war,  that  makes  ambition  virtue.' 

"'The  Duke   of  Richmond  said  — '  But,  my  Lords,  I 

wish  to  turn  your  eyes  to  another  part  of  this  business. 

I  mean  the  dreadful  inhumanities  with  which  this  war  is 

carried  on ;  shocking  beyond  description  to  every  feeling 

16 


182  MISSION. 

of  a  Christian,  or  of  a  man.  If  ever  a  nation  shall  de- 
serve to  draw  down  on  her  the  Divine  vengeance  of  her 
sins,  it  will  be  this,  if  slie  suffers  such  horrid  war  to  con- 
tinue. To  me,  who  think  we  have  been  originally  in  the 
wrong,  it  appears  doubly  unpardonable ;  but  even  sup- 
posing we  were  right,  it  is  certainly  Ave  who  produce  the 
war ;  and  I  do  not  think  any  consideration  of  dominion 
or  empire  sulhcient  to  warrant  the  sacrifices  we  make  to 
it.  To  arm  negro  slaves  against  their  masters,  to  arm 
savages  who  we  know  will  put  their  prisoners  to  death 
in  the  most  cruel  tortures,  and  literally  cat  them,  is  not, 
in  my  opinion,  a  fair  war  against  fellow-subjects.' 

"'Col.  Barre  said — 'The  Americans  have  been  brand- 
ed in  this  house  with  every  opprobrious  epithet  that 
meanness  could  invent — termed  cowardly  and  inhuman. 
Let  us  mark  the  proof.  They  have  obliged  as  brave  a 
General  as  ever  commanded  a  body  of  British  troops,  to 
surrender — such  is  their  cowardice.  And  instead  of 
throwing  chains  upon  these  troops,  they  have  nobly  given 
them  their  freedom — such  is  their  inhumanity.' 

"'Mr.  Burke  observed — 'The  Americans  had  been 
always  represented  as  cov.-ards ;  this  was  far  from  being 
true ;  and  he  appealed  to  the  conduct  of  Arnold  and 
Gates,  towards  General  Burgoyne,  as  a  striking  proof  of 
their  bravery.  Our  army  was  totally  at  their  mercy. 
We  had  employed  the  savages  to  butcher  them,  their 
wives,  their  aged  parents,  and  their  children ;  and  yet, 
generous  to  tlie  last  degree,  they  gave  our  men  leave  to 
depart  on  their  parole,  never  more  to  bear  arms  against 
North  America.  Bravery  and  cowardice  could  never 
inhabit  the  same  bosom  ;  generosity,  valor,  and  humani- 
ty, are  ever  inseparable.     Poor,  indeed,  the  Americans 


LETTER  TO  CLAY  AND  BUXTON.  183 

were,  but  in  this  consists  their  greatest  strength.  Sixty 
thousand  men  had  fallen  at  the  feet  of  their  voluntary- 
poverty.' 

"'And  what  has  since  been  her  conduct?  Having 
driven  us  into  a  war  in  defence  of  our  maratime  rights, 
which  we  nobly  vindicated  on  that  ocean  that  she  vainly 
imagined  was  her  own,  she  has  recently  again  violated 
those  rights  in  the  African  seas,  as  though  she  only  sought 
to  overthrow  the  slave-trade,  and  to  monopolize  all  credit 
in  abolishing  it,  might  violate  the  law  of  nations.  Has 
she  not,  in  time  of  peace,  and  on  our  own  soil,  burnt  our 
property  and  murdered  our  citizens .?  Witness  the  affair 
of  the  Caroline.  Not  content  with  denouncing  us  as 
infamous  before  the  world  for  an  evil  which,  from  mere 
mercenary  motives,  she  forced  upon  us,  in  the  days  of 
our  weakness  and  her  tyrannous  control,  her  ecclesiasti- 
cal bodies  would  exclude,  on  account  of  this  evil,  from 
Christian  fellowship,  nearly  one  half  the  churches  of  this 
Union,  and  as  if  growing  more  hardened  in  iniquity,  she 
dares  to  speak  not  of  a  magnanimous  and  open  war,  but 
(unparalleled  atrocity ! )  of  exciting  our  slaves  to  insur- 
rection—  of  lighting  the  flames  of  servile  war  throughout 
all  the  southern  states  of  this  confederacy.  And  who 
are  those  that,  with  more  than  savage  ferocity,  would 
introduce  amongst  us  all  the  horrors  which,  a  ie\^  years 
ago,  darkened  the  heavens,  and  made  red  with  the  blood 
of  indiscriminate  massacre,  the  fields  of  St.  Domingo  ? 
Our  enlightened.  Christian,  English  brethren ! !  A  people 
who  boast  of  the  treasures  of  their  wisdom  and  the  purity 
of  their  faith ;  who  are  justly  proud  of  the  immortal 
names  of  Shakspeare  and  ]Milton,  of  Bacon  and  Burke, 
of  Hanway  and  Howard  and  Wilberforce.  But  has  Eng- 
land no  sins  to  answer  for,  that  she  should  take  the  work 


184  Missiox. 

of  retribution  into  her  hands,  and  inflict  the  Divine  ven* 
geance  upon  our  guilty  heads  ?  What  nation  was  it,  that 
through  several  of  its  successive  monarchs,  two  centuries 
ago,  called  for  subscriptions  to  joint-stock  companies  for 
the  prosecution  of  the  slave  trade  in  order  to  supply  la- 
borers to  her  American  plantations  ?  What  nation,  that 
in  1713,  formed  a  treaty  with  Spain,  which,  in  the  words 
of  Lord  Brougham, '  the  execrations  of  ages  have  left  in- 
adequately censured,'  by  which  it  was  stipulated  that  she 
should  introduce  4,S00  negroes  into  his  Catholic  Majes- 
ty's dominions,  for  the  space  of  thirty  years  successively  ? 
What  nation  that,  for  a  long  period,  employed  from  one 
hundred  and  fifty  to  two  hundred  ships  in  the  slave  trade, 
and  carried  off'  on  the  average  forty  thousand  negroes 
annually ;  at  times,  one  half  more,  and  which  is  stated 
by  Anderson,  in  his  History  of  Trade  and  Commerce, 
about  1753,  to  have  supplied  her  American  colonies  with 
negro  slaves,  amounting  in  number  to  above  one  hundred 
thousand  every  year  ?  It  is  the  nation  of  which  Mr. 
Pitt  said,  '  The  truth  is,  there  is  no  nation  in  Europe 
which  has  plunged  so  deeply  into  this  guilt  as  Britain. 
Wc  stopped  the  natural  progress  of  civilization  in  Africa. 
We  cut  her  off  from  the  opportunity  of  improvement. 
We  kept  her  down  in  a  state  of  darkness,  bondage,  igno- 
rance, and  bloodshed.  We  have  thus  subverted  the  whole 
order  of  nature  \  we  have  aggravated  every  natural  bar- 
barity, and  funished  to  every  man  motives  for  commit- 
ting, under  the  slave  trade,  acts  of  perpetual  hostility 
against  his  neighbor.  Thus  had  the  perverson  of  British 
commerce  carried  misery  instead  of  happiness  to  one 
whole  quarter  of  the  globe.' 

" '  And  has  England,  by  extraordinary  acts  of  merit,  so 
atoned  for  these  enormous  wrongs,  so  cleansed  her  gar- 


LETTER  TO  CLAY  AND  BUXTOff.  185 

ments  from  the  blood  of  Africa,  as  to  be  entitled  to  carry- 
revolution  into  foreign  states  ?  Even  in  her  boasted  act 
of  West  Indian  emancipation,  she  violated  (as  Granville 
Sharp,  the  venerated  father  of  abolition  in  England,  would 
have  said,)  the  rights  of  her  own  subjects  in  denying 
them  a  representation  in  her  national  legislature,  ller 
liberality  of  compensation  we  admit.  But  by  what  au- 
thority of  justice,  while  conferring  personal  freedom  on 
one  people,  does  she  hold  in  political  servitude  another. 
She  treated  with  contempt  the  remonstrances  and  peti- 
tions of  her  American  colonies  against  the  slave  trade, 
and  now  she  presumes  to  dictate  to  these  colonies,  risen 
to  independent  States,  where  and  how  they  shall  abolish 
slavery  on  pain  of  her  high  displeasure. 

"'And  has  she  no  evils  at  home  to  remedy,  that  she 
must  cross  the  ocean  to  excite  civil  and  servile  war  in 
America }  Let  her  look  to  India,  to  South  Africa,  to 
every  remote  province  of  her  empire,  and  see  the  foot- 
prints of  desolation,  or  the  signals  of  dismay  or  sorrow 
wherever  she  has  conquered.  Whole  tribes  and  nations 
have  wasted  away  before  her — while  more  than  a  hun- 
dred millions  bow  their  necks  to  her  arbitrary  and  iron 
will.  What  is  the  condition  of  Ireland  ?  More  than 
2,000,000  of  her  people  in  rags  and  wretchedness,  and 
compelled  to  solicit  charity  for  at  least  half  the  year. 
And  what  is  done  to  give  religious  instruction  to  three 
millions,  speaking  only  the  Irish  language .''  And  what 
political  rights  has  Ireland  }  Out  of  three  counties,  con- 
taining more  than  1,000,000  of  inhabitants,  there  are  a 
little  more  than  4,000  voters.  Little  better  is  the  condi- 
tion of  things  in  England.  Ground  to  the  dust  by  taxa- 
tion, to  support  a  Government  the  most  lavish  for 
expenditure  in  the  world,  no  provision  is  made  for  gene-' 
16* 


185  Missiojv. 

ral  education,  and  thousands  are  transported  annually  for 
crimes  of  which  ignorance  may  be  regarded  as  the 
parent.  An  overgrown  aristocracy,  vast  wealth,  and 
boundless  luxury,  are  here  seen  in  contrast  with  igno- 
rance, misery,  and  starvation.  Talk  of  American  slavery, 
wliile  in  one  city  of  Great  Britain,  and  that  not  the 
largest,  16,000  persons  are  found  seeking  food  and  shel- 
ter in  a  single  year ;  while  typhus  fever,  produced  by 
destitution,  is  never  absent,  and  when  an  able  physi- 
cian, writing  of  Limerick,  says,  (in  reference  to  the 
houses  in  the  worst  part  of  the  old  town,)  '  I  myself 
have  known  several  of  those  houses  occupied  by  eight, 
nine,  eleven,  thirteen,  and  I  have  heard  that  some  of 
tliem  are  occupied  by  sixteen  families.  I  have  seen  three 
families  living  together  in  a  room  scarcely  seven  feet 
square  !  It  .would,  indeed,  be  a  most  interesting  subject 
for  investigation,  and  one  which  I  am  sure  would  tend 
to  great  practical  good,  an  inquiry  into  the  condition  of 
these  poor  strugglers  —  the  number  to  each  house — the 
rents  they  pay — their  mode  of  obtaining  a  livelihood, 
and  other  particulars  regarding  them  ;  but  I  fear  I  should 
not  be  able  to  devote  sufficient  time  to  it.  Here,  amid 
broken  bannisters,  falling  staircases,  sinking  floors,  and 
shattered  roofs  that  admit  every  blast,  may  be  witnessed 
every  variety  of  privation,  misery,  and  suffering  in  all  its 
horror,  which  it  is  possible  for  the  human  mind  to  con- 
template. I  have  read  all  that  has  been  written  on  the 
condition  of  the  poor  in  Scotland  and  other  places,  and 
in  nothing  they  describe  do  they  exceed  v/hat  is  exhibit- 
ed in  Limerick.  I  have  seen  a  wretched  mother  lying 
sick  on  a  mat,  in  the  corner  of  a  garret,  her  only  cover- 
ing a  few  rags  —  without  a  drop  to  wet  her  lips  for  three 
days,  but  cold  water ;  her  husband  dead,  and  three  little 


LETTER  TO  CLAY  AND  BUXTON.  187 

children  on  the  floor,  who  were  frequently  eight  and 
forty  hours  without  tasting  a  morsel  of  food.  But  this 
last  is  by  no  means  an  uncommon  occurrence  among 
them,  and  sometimes  the  interval  passed  without  food  is 
much  longer.  1  have  seen  children  not  otherwise  un- 
healthy, fall  into  a  dropsical  state,  and  die  from  the  abso- 
lute debility  produced  by  repeated  abstinence.  I  have 
known  a  wretched  young  creature,  a  widow,  without 
clothing,  food,  or  fire,  when  every  lag  was  pledged, 
place  her  dying  infant  between  her  lower  limbs  in  its  last 
moments,  in  a  position  which  is  not  easy  to  describe,  in 
order  to  keep  some  warmth  in  it  while  it  was  expiring.' 
Thrice  happy  are  slaves,  so  far  as  physical  comfort  is 
concerned,  in  America,  compared  with  the  thousands 
perishing  for  want  in  this  kingdom.  And  then  her  man- 
ufactories. But  more  than  enough — ^her  people  are  be- 
ginning to  open  their  eyes  —  the  '  hereditary  bondmen  of 
Ireland,'  as  Mr.  O'Connell  has  it,  will  not  always  be 
slaves.  Her  old,  rotten  institutions  must  give  way — the 
sooner  they  are  in  the  dust  the  better.  Let  us,  for  the 
sake  of  Ireland  and  India,  for  freedom  and  humanity, 
declare  war,  and  millions  will  clap  their  hands.  At  all 
events,  England  should  know  that  an  attempt  on  her  part 
to  rouse  the  slaves  to  msurrection,  will  unite  every  Ame- 
rican against  her,  nor  will  they  rest  until  the  Canadas 
shall  be  released  from  their  chains,  and  not  an  English- 
man left  on  the  shores  of  the  new  world.  The  pride  of 
England  must  be  humbled.  Our  voice,  then,  is  for  war, 
and  we  conclude,  as  we  began,  '  a  war  with  England  a 
blessing  to  mankind.' ' 

"  If  an  Englishman  turns  from  this  article  v/ith  abhor- 
rence or  disdain,  let  him  consider  that  the  language  I 
have  quoted  from  recent  publications  in  this  country. 


188  MISSION. 

more  malignant,  and  certainly  not  more  just,  must  excite 
similar  sentiments  in  the  American  mind.  And  is  it  by- 
such  publications  that  England  and  America  are  to  be 
united  in  works  of  piety  and  philanthropy  ?  Will  mu- 
tual attacks  upon  character,  the  application  to  each  other 
of  undeserved  censures  and  cruel  reproaches,  bind  us 
more  in  amity  together  ?  By  concealing  each  other's 
virtues,  and  exaggerating  and  gladly  holding  up  in  the 
face  of  Heaven  each  other's  faults,  shall  we  become 
wiser  and  better,  and  show  more  impressively  to  the 
world  the  meekness  and  power  of  Christian  love  ? 

"Suppose a  society  established  in  the  United  States, for 
the  avowed  purpose  of  ellecting  a  revolution  in  England 
by  inflaming  the  passions  of  her  laboring  classes,  insisting 
upon  their  right  to  share  equally  with  the  nobility  in  the 
government  of  the  empire ;  that  the  lands  ought  to  be 
their  own,  which  they  have  so  long  cultivated  for  very 
inadequate  rewards  ;  putting  arms  into  the  hands  of  her 
Chartist  population,  and  maintaining  that  it  was  utterly 
repugnant  to  the  democratic  spirit  of  Christianity,  that 
thousands  should  pine  in  workhouses,  or  starve  out  of 
them,  Avhile  others,  no  better  than  they,  dwell  in  palaces 
and  drink  wine  out  of  bowls;  and  that  a  throne,  based  upon 
the  miseries  of  the  people,  should  be  overturned  by  their 
hands  ;  suppose  they  should  collect  all  reports  of  crime 
and  suffering,  throw  the  responsibility  for  their  existence 
upon  those  in  power,  and  pronounce  all  authority  in  Eng- 
land null  and  void  before  God  :  would  the  good  and  wise 
in  this  country  have  patience  with  such  a  Society,  wel- 
come to  their  shore  its  agents,  or  distribute  its  publica- 
tions ?  I  suspect  such  interference  in  the  national  con- 
cerns of  England  by  the  people  of  a  foreign  state,  would 
be  likely  to  add  new  tenants  to  the  prisons,  or  send  out 


LETTER  TO  CLAY  AND  BUXTON.  189 

additional  companies  of  disconsolate,  if  not  chained  cap- 
tives, to  till  the  soil  of  her  Majesty's  Australian  dominions. 

"  I  shall  not  argue  the  point  whether  such  a  society  in 
America,  would  furnish  an  exact  parallel  to  the  Abolition 
Society  of  England,  for  my  object  is  but  to  say,  that  the 
movements  of  the  latter,  so  far  as  directed  to  excite  the 
slave  population  to  insurrection,  or  in  any  way  to  coerce 
emancipation,  are  regarded,  universally,  in  America,  with 
detestation  and  horror.  And  here,  I  may  be  permitted  to 
correct  some  of  the  errors  in  the  quotations  I  have  cited 
from  recent  English  publications,  and  which  I  fear  may 
have  been  adopted  too  extensively  in  England  concerning 
American  slavery  and  the  American  Union. 

^^  First.  The  idea  propagated  by  the  Times,  as  well  as 
various  other  papers,  that  the  consequence  of  war  would 
be  a  speedy  dissolution  of  the  American  Union  is  wholly 
false  —  on  the  contrary,  nothing  could  strengthen  the 
American  Union  like  war  with  a  foreign  power.  The 
bonds  uniting  the  several  states  of  that  union  can  be 
relaxed  and  broken  only  (if  at  all)  by  internal  dissensions 
in  days  of  peace. 

"  Second.  To  represent  the  citizens  of  the  southern 
states  of  America  as  generally  guilty  of  rigorous,  inhu- 
man conduct  towards  their  slaves,  is  an  outrage  upon 
truth  as  well  as  charity.  If  my  testimony,  derived  from 
extensive  personal  observation,  be  called  in  question,  I 
appeal  to  the  venerable  bishops  of  the  Episcopal  Church, 
in  those  states,  to  confirm  it,  and  desire  those  who  would 
try  the  question  to  seek  their  testimony  on  the  subject. 
Much  oppression  doubtless  exists,  but  a  concern  for  the 
physical  comfort,  religious  instruction,  and  ultimate  free- 
dom of  the  slave  population  is  increasing,  and  will  con- 
tinue I  trust,  more  and  more,  to  increase. 

"  Third.  Neither  fanaticism  nor  mistaken  philanthropy 


190  MISSIOX. 

may  gratify  itself  with  the  idea,  that  the  slave  population 
of  America  are  one  and  all  ready  to  fly  to  arms  against 
their  masters,  at  the  bidding  of  a  foreign  foe.  Not  a  few 
have  too  much  sense  to  do  this,  not  a  few  too  much  piety, 
and  a  large  proportion,  probal^ly,  would  prefer  the  protec- 
tion of  humane  masters  Avhom  they  know,  to  a  foreign 
soldiery  if  such  could  be  landed  (which  it  could  not  be,) 
of  which  they  know  nothing. 

"  Fourth.  The  idea  of  securing  freedom  to  the  slaves, 
by  urging  them  to  insurrection,  and  aiding  them  in  the 
work,  is  a  dream  of  his  folly,  or  insanity,  \v\\o  might 
smile  at  the  conflagration  of  cities,  or  the  destruction  of 
nations.  Cruel  to  all  classes  in  America,  especially  to 
the  slaves,  should  it  once  rouse  them  to  action,  unima- 
ginable evils  must  be  brought  upon  society,  probably  utter 
ruin  upon  themselves.  All  this  is  clear  to  those  who  can 
think,  and  for  others  I  do  not  write.  Fidelity  and  good 
conduct  on  the  part  of  slaves,  will  prove  their  best  pass- 
port to  liberty ;  and  far  wiser  is  it  for  them  to  rely  upon 
the  justice  and  kindness  of  their  own  masters,  under  the 
growing  influences  of  Christianity,  than  upon  the  inter- 
ference of  foreign  philanthropists. 

"And  here,  I  conclude  what  I  have  to  say  on  the 
errors  connected  with  this  subject,  by  the  remark,  that 
the  various  compound  poisons,  as  Coleridge  terms  them, 
circulated  to  excite  discontent  in  the  humbler  classes,  who 
receive  but  a  small  share  of  the  fruits  of  society,  appear 
to  me,  to  have  been  in  great  demand  among  the  Anti- 
Slavery  Societies  both  of  England  and  America. 

" '  First.  Bold,  warm,  and  earnest  assertions,  it  matters 
not  whether  supported  by  facts  or  not ;  nay,  though  they 
should  involve  absurdities  and  demonstrable  impossi- 
bilities. 

"  '  Second.  Startling  particular  facts,  which,  dissevered 


LETTER  TO  CLAY  AND  BUXTO.V.  191 

from  their  context,  enable  a.  man  to  convey  falsehood 
Avhile  he  says  truth. 

"'  Third.  Arguments  built  on  passing  events,  and 
derivmg  an  undue  importance  from  the  feelings  of  the 
moment. 

'•'•'•  Fourlh.  The  display  of  the  defects,  without  the  ac- 
companying advantages,  or  vice  versa. 

'-'• '  Fifth.  Concealment  of  the  general  ultimate  result 
behind  the  scenery  of  local  and  particular  consequences. 

'•'"'•  Sixth.  Statement  of  positions  that  are  true,  under 
particular  conditions,  to  men  whose  ignorance  or  fury 
make  them  forget  that  these  conditions  are  not  present, 
or  lead  them  to  take  for  granted  that  they  are. 

" '  Seventh.  Chains  of  questions,  especially  such  ques- 
tions as  the  persons  best  authorized  to  propose,  are  ever 
the  slowest  in  proposing ;  and  objections  intelligible  of 
themselves,  the  answers  to  which  require  tlie  comprehen- 
sion of  a  system. 

" '  Eighth.  Vague  and  common  place  satire,'  &c. 

"  I  am  aware  that  the  exhibition  of  particular  errors, 
and  the  correction  of  them,  is  not  absolutely  necessary 
to  my  argument,  though  I  trust  not  impertinent  to  the 
general  object  of  this  letter.  I  have  sought  to  show  that 
the  elements  of  a  general  union  are  with  the  friends  of 
African  civilization  and  colonization,  and  not  with  the 
Abolitionists.  These  elements  may  respect  the  instru- 
mentalities, and  the  particular  end.  Agreeing  mainly  in 
both,  the  former  (the  friends  of  civilization  and  coloni- 
zation,) may  expect  to  unite  to  them  the  mind  and  energy 
of  the  people  of  the  southern  States  of  America,  a 
matter  vitally  important  to  the  interests  and  hopes  of  the 
slaves,  to  any  extensive  union  of  their  friends  in  that 
country ;  and  of  highest  consequence  to  the  civilization 


193  MISSION. 

of  Africa.  Agreeing  already  in  tlie  field  for  their  opera- 
tions, in  the  agents  to  be  employed,  in  many  of  the 
subordinate  means  to  be  used,  in  the  great  principles  of 
Christian  discretion  to  be  adopted,  and  the  grandeur  of 
their  design — the  moral  and  intellectual  elevation  of  an 
entire  race  of  men — time  and  experience  will,  I  trust, 
perfect  their  union  —  correct  any  irregularities,  supply 
any  defects  in  their  policy,  and  show  the  embodied  wis- 
dom and  power  of  two  great  nations,  harmoniously 
working  for  the  civilization  and  salvation  of  Africa. 

"  I  have  but  alluded  to  tlie  effects  to  be  produced  by 
the  civilization  of  Africa  upon  the  commerce  of  the 
world.  To  England,  by  opening  a  vast  market  for  the 
innumerable  products  of  her  manufacturing  skill ;  and 
to  America,  by  creating  large  demands  for  the  fruits  of 
her  agriculture,  the  benefit  would  be  inestimable. 

"Gentlemen — to  you,  as  justly  possessed  of  the  public* 
confidence  in  your  respective  countries,  and  presiding, 
the  one  over  the  American  Colonization  Society,  the 
other  over  the  Afi'ican  Civilization  Society,  I  venture  to 
address  this  letter,  in  the  hope,  that  the  institutions  you 
represent  will  gather  around  them  the  affections  and 
strength  of  England  and  America — that  minor  differ- 
ences of  opinion  will  be  merged  in  a  common  sensibility 
to  the  wrongs  and  miseries  of  the  Africans  —  that  these 
institutions,  already  agreeing  in  most  things,  may  soon 
concur  in  all  —  that,  mutually  imparting  to  each  other 
the  results  of  their  inquiries  and  experience,  the  pathway 
of  both  may  become  brighter  with  wisdom  and  benefi- 
cence—  that  liberty  to  the  whole  African  race  may 
follow  in  their  footsteps  —  that  among  their  blessings 
may  arise  a  holy  and  inextinguishable  spirit  of  amity 
between  the  Christian  people  of  England  and  the  United 


LETTER  TO  CLAY  AND  BUXTON.  193 

States ;  that  future  ages  may  behold  and  admire,  in  the 
civilization  of  the  most  barbarous  quarter  of  the  world 
—  the  morally  renovated  character,  the  political  elevation 
and  independence  of  her  now  rude  and  enslaved  sons  — 
the  efficacy  of  generous  motives,  supplied  by  philan- 
thropy, to  produce  self-discipline,  to  train  and  exalt  de- 
pressed and  darkened  minds  —  and,  finally,  that  they 
may  discern  light  cast  upon  the  mysteries  of  that  Al- 
mighty Ruler  who  subverts  or  builds  up  empires,  and 
extending  his  decrees  through  all  space  and  eternity, 
often  educes  the  fairest  forms  of  a  new  creation,  from 
the  chaos  of  turbulent  events,  disordered  passions,  per- 
verse counsels,  and  untold  calamity ;  and  while  lifting 
their  voices  of  praise  to  that  God  who  left  his  chosen 
family  for  centuries  imder  the  oppressor's  rod,  that  he 
might  bring  them  forth,  attended  by  art  and  civilization, 
from  the  magnificent  cities  of  Egypt  to  their  promised 
home,  the  anthems  of  a  devout  thanksgiving  may  break 
out  from  the  habitations  and  temples  of  Africa,  to  aug- 
ment and  surpass  all  other  songs  of  earth  befoi-e  his 
throne  \  and  that  the  benignant  Father  of  all  men  may 
rejoicingly  cast  his  eye  upon  that  land,  made  beautiful  as 
the  gardens  of  Solomon  and  the  gates  of  Zion. 

"  Well  do  I  know  that  not  a  few  ardent  and  judicious 
philanthropists  condemn  the  recent  policy  of  the  African 
Civilization  Society,  and  of  the  English  Government, 
believing  that  the  Niger  expedition  will  secure  no  advan- 
tages to  compensate  for  the  large  expenditure,  and  the 
probable,  nay,  almost  certain  loss  of  life.  Possibly  the 
funds  applied  to  fit  out  and  defray  the  expenses  of  this 
expedition,  might  have  been  more  usefully  employed  in 
improving  and  extending  settlements  or  colonies  already 
founded  in  Africa.  But  I  am  not  sure  of  this,  and  I  hare 
17 


194  MISSION, 

no  disposition  to  find  fault.  Much  valuable  information 
will  be  acquired,  J  trust,  also  great  and  good  results 
secured  by  this  expedition.  Whether  it  proceeds  on  the 
most  economical  plan,  or  with  the  best  instructions,  I  am 
incompetent,  being  without  information,  to  judge,*  I  wish 
it  all  possible  success ;  and  I  fervently  pray,  that  the  gene- 
rous conduct  of  the  English  Government,  in  this  case, 
may  be  soon  imitated  by  the  Government  of  my  own 
country. 

^'  In  retiring  from  all  public  connection  with  a  cause  to 
which  the  best  powers  of  my  mind,  and  the  best  years 
of  my  life  have  been  devoted,  I  have  felt  impelled,  1  trust 
by  a  deep  sense  of  duty,  to  submit  these  thoughts  to 
you,  gentlemen,  and  to  the  friends  of  Africa,  and  her 
afflicted  children,  in  England  and  the  United  States.  If 
they  contribute  in  the  least  to  allay  animosity,  to  pro- 
mote truth,  justice,  and  charity  ;  if  in  a  single  mind  they 
awaken  a  more  powerful  sympathy  for  a  people  bound 
in  chains,  and  trodden  in  the  dust ;  if  to  a  single  unfor- 
tunate man  of  color  they  reveal,  even  faintly,  and  in  the 
distance,  the  star  of  hope  for  himself,  and  the  ancient  and 
once  renowned  mother-land  of  his  progenitors,  and  rouse 
him  to  the  high  ambition  of  rebuilding  her  ruins,  and 
restoring  to  her  embrace  her  long-lost  children ;  if  they 
impress  upon  tlie  masters  of  slaves  the  great  and  univer- 
sal law  of  Christ, '  Thou  shalt  love  thy  neighbor  as  thy- 
self;' if,  finally,  (and  would  that  I  could  hope  so  much,) 
they  should  incline  American  and  English  philanthropists 
to  unity  of  opinion,  to  mutual  and  friendly  co-operation 

*  Many  of  the  facts  which  are  presented  in  the  following  pages, 
in  regard  to  this  expedition,  had  not  appeared,  or  were  unknown 
to  me,  when  this  letter  was  written. 


PROPOSED  FORMATION  OF  A  COMMITTEE.  195 

Oil  the  same  plan,  because  the  best  plan  for  the  civiliza- 
tion of  Africa  and  the  elevation  of  all  her  people,  I  shall 
not  have  lived  in  vain. 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  gentlemen, 

"  Very  respectfully,  your  friend,  &c.,  &c,, 

"R.  R.  GUPxLEY. 
''^pril  30,  1841." 

From  the  time  that  the  most  prominent  members  of  the 
General  Committee  of  the  African  Civilization  Society 
evinced  an  indisposition  to  give  a  decided  public  appro- 
bation to  the  views  and  measures  of  the  American  Colo- 
nization Society,  I  had  anxiously  sought  to  secure  an 
organization,  which  might  aid,  by  discussions  and  expla- 
nations and  the  correction  of  erroneous  impressions,  to 
unite  harmoniously  these  two  kindred  institutions.  I 
was  persuaded  that  a  committee  in  London,  appointed 
and  empowered  to  represent  to  the  people  of  Great  Britain 
the  real  views  of  the  friends  of  Africa  in  America,  and 
who  should  embrace  in  then-  plans,  as  well  the  coloniza- 
tion as  civilization  of  Africa,  and  reserve  to  themselves, 
the  right  of  expending  their  funds,  in  such  way,  and  for 
such  specific  object,  as  might  be  judged  most  expedient 
for  the  relief  and  elevation  of  the  Africans,  would  prove 
of  benefit  to  the  Civilization  and  Colonization  Societies, 
to  America  and  England,  to  the  home  population  of  Afri- 
ca, and  her  children  in  exile  in  many  lands.  I  sought 
unremittingly  to  induce  a  few  able  friends  to  undertake 
the  formation  of  such  a  committee.  It  seemed  probable 
that,  under  the  auspices  of  such  a  committee,  access  might 
be  obtained  to  assemblies  of  the  people,  and  the  illusions 
of  error  be  dissipated.     Several  meetings  of  conference 


196  MISSION. 

were  held ;  and,  on  one  occasion,  I  prepared  for  conside- 
ration the  following  preamble  and  resolutions  : 

"  Whereas,  it  is  a  matter  of  great  importance  to  unite 
the  opinions  and  exertions  of  English  and  American  phi- 
lanthropists in  one  and  the  same  general  policy  for  the 
relief  of  the  African  race,  and  the  colonization  and  civi- 
lization of  Africa : 

"  Resolved,  That  a  permanent  committee  be  now  ap- 
pointed, with  full  power  to  add  to  their  number,  to  make 
their  own  bye-laws  and  regulations,  and  to  adopt  all  such 
measures,  and  carry  into  effect  all  such  plans,  as  they 
may  judge  best,  to  conciliate  opinions  and  efforts  between 
England  and  America  on  this  subject,  and  to  promote  the 
best  interests  of  the  African  race  in  all  lands,  and  especi- 
ally the  colonization  and  civilization  of  Africa. 

^^  Resolved,  That  it  be  the  duty  of  this  committee, 
which  shall  be  entitled  the  "  General  Committee  for  the 
relief  of  the  African  race  and  the  colonization  and  civi- 
lization of  Africa,"  to  co-operate  with  all  similar  and 
kindred  associations,  and  to  apply  its  funds  in  such  way, 
and  througli  such  channels  as  they  may  judge  best  for 
effecting  their  objects." 

Those  who  were  prepared  to  approve  the  objects  thus 
proposed,  were  disinclined  to  incur  responsibilities  with- 
out some  fair  prospect  of  success,  and  thought  it  wiser 
to  trust  to  the  progress  of  light  among  the  members  of 
the  Civilization  Society,  than  to  attempt  by  a  distinct 
organization  to  supply  their  defects ;  and  by  producing 
changes  in  public  sentiment,  either  compel  them  to  modify 
their  plans,  or  see  diverted  from  them  a  portion  of  popu- 
lar favor.  Their  jiidgment  in  this  case  was  regretted  by 
the  writer,  who  deemed  it  of  high  import,  that  the  phi- 


AFRICAN  CIVILIZATION  SOCIETY.  197 

lanthropy  of  England  should  know,  that  for  the  civiliza- 
tion of  Africa,  no  means  could  be  found  so  eftective  as 
that  of  founding  free  governments  and  Christian  institu- 
tions through  the  agency  of  her  own  emancipated  and 
instructed  children.  Nor  would  the  cause  of  general 
humanity  have  been  lightly  benefitted  by  the  removal 
from  the  English  mind  of  those  deplorable  prejudices 
regarding  the  colored  race  in  the  United  States,  thickly 
sown  by  our  countrymen,  and  which  are  seeds  of  evil, 
already  growing  into  fierce  antipathies,  if  not  relentless 
hostility. 

That  the  Society,  over  which  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton  pre- 
sides, for  the  "  extinction  of  the  slave  trade,  and  the  civi- 
lization of  Africa,"  originated  in  benevolence,  is  conducted 
on  Christian  principles,  and  fraught  with  blessings  ines- 
timable to  Africa,  I  can  entertain  no  doubt.  From  the 
most  careful  inquiries  and  examinations,  my  original 
opinion  of  its  excellence  has  undergone  no  change,  unless 
by  confirmation.  The  Society  embraces  noblemen  and 
gentlemen  of  all  political  opinions,  of  different  religious 
sects,  and  from  every  part  of  the  kingdom.  In  their 
prospectus,  issued  in  February,  1840,  they  declare  "  It  is 
the  unanimous  opinion  of  this  Society,  that  the  only 
complete  cure  of  all  these  evils  is  the  introduction  of  the 
Christian  religion  into  Africa.  They  do  not  believe  that 
any  less  powerful  remedy  will  entirely  extinguish  the 
present  inducements  to  trade  in  human  beings,  or  will 
afford  to  the  inhabitants  of  those  extensive  regions  a  sure 
foundation  for  repose  and  happiness. 

"  But  they  are  aware  that  a  great  variety  of  views  may 

exist  as  to  the  manner  in  which  religious  instruction 

should  be  introduced ;  distinctly  avowing,  therefore,  that 

the  substitution  of  our  pure  and  holy  faith  for  the  false 

17* 


198  MISSION, 

religion,  idolatry,  and  superstitions  of  Africa,  is,  in  their 
firm  conviction  the  true  ultimate  remedy  for  the  calami- 
ties that  afflict  her,  they  are  most  anxious  to  adopt  every 
measure  which  may  eventually  lead  to  the  establishment 
of  Christianity  throughout  that  continent  •,  and  hoping  to 
secure  the  co-operation  of  all,  they  proceed  to  declare 
that  the  grand  object  of  their  association  is  the  extinction 
of  the  slave  trade?'' 

The  plan  of  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton,  which  is  that  of  the 
Civilization  Society,  embraces  a  wide  range,  and  is  of  a 
very  general  character.  It  contemplates  the  aid  of  the 
English  government,  and  of  missionary,  and  other  soci- 
eties. The  committee  early  co-operated  with  Mr.  Buxton 
in  inducing  her  Majesty's  government  to  send  an  expedi- 
tion to  the  Niger,  "  with  the  view  of  obtaining  most  accu- 
rate information  as  to  the  state  of  the  countries  bordering 
on  its  mighty  waters."  It  is  expected  that  the  report  of 
this  expedition  will  open  a  vast  region  for  benevolent  and 
Christian  enterprize,  and  that  effectual  measui'es  may  then 
be  adopted  by  the  government,  the  Civilization  Society, 
an  African  Agricultural  Company,  which  it  is  proposed 
to  establish,  and  by  various  humane  and  missionary  asso- 
ciations. 

'  The  operations  of  the  "  Society  for  the  extinction  of  the 
slave  trade  and  the  civilization  of  Africa,"  will  be  direct- 
ed less  to  any  one  specific  object,  than  by  the  collection 
and  diffusion  of  information,  the  suggestion  of  plans,  the 
encouragement  of  all  benevolent  measures  for  the  sup- 
pression of  the  traffic  in  slaves,  and  the  elevation  of  the 
people  of  Africa,  to  stimulate  the  British  nation  to  apply 
its  powers  and  resources  for  the  civilization  of  that  con- 
tinent. 

It  relies   upon   the   government   to   strengthen    and 


AFRICAN  CIVILIZATION  SOCIETY.  199 

concentrate  its  naval  force  upon  the  African  coast;  to 
obtain  possession  of  Fernando  Po  and  other  commanding 
positions,  as  stations  for  such  force ;  to  form  treaties 
with  the  rulers  of  Africa  for  the  abolition  of  the  slave 
traffic,  and  to  take  upon  itself  the  expense  of  protecting 
all  settlements  formed  by  the  people  of  England,  in  Africa, 
for  instructing  her  inhabitants  in  agriculture,  commerce, 
the  arts,  letters,  and  religion. 

It  looks  to  an  Agricultural  company  to  occupy  suitable 
tracts  of  land,  to  be  obtained  by  treaty  from  the  natives, 
upon  which  colonization  may  be  encouraged,  and  the 
cultivation  of  the  most  valuable  products  of  the  soil. 

It  solicits  the  assistance  of  missionary  societies  to  im- 
part Divine  knowledge  to  barbarians,  and  raise  their  dark 
and  perverted  minds  from  superstition  and  sensuality  to 
the  service  and  love  of  the  true  God. 

It  has  assumed  to  itself  the  duty  of  aiding  the  outfit 
of  the  Niger  expedition;  of  supplying  it  with  men  and 
means  for  scientific  observations ;  for  investigating  the 
nature  of  the  soil,  climate,  and  productions  of  Africa; 
for  collecting  and  preserving  specimens  in  geology,  mine- 
ralogy, and  the  various  branches  of  natural  history ;  for 
examining  the  causes  of  disease,  and  the  methods  of 
prevention ;  for  obtaining  drawings  of  remarkable  scenes 
and  objects ;  for  communicating  to  the  natives  seeds, 
implements  of  husbandry,  and  many  improvements  and 
useful  arts  ;  and  also  of  reporting  the  progress  and  results 
of  this  expedition ;  finally,  of  making  public  all  facts 
adapted  to  keep  alive  a  horror  of  the  slave  trade,  and  co- 
operating in  all  endeavors  to  introduce  and  sustain  teach- 
ers in  morals,  manners,  and  Christianity. 

In  a  very  impiessive  and  Christian  manner,  has  Sir  T. 
F.  Buxton  expressed  his  views  both  of  the  difficulty  and 
grandeur  of  the  proposed  enterprize. 


200  MISSION. 

'•  I  am  not,"  he  observes,  "  so  sanguine  as  to  suppose 
that  we  can  at  once,  by  a  single  effort,  solve  the  problem 
vi^hich  lies  before  us.  The  deliverance  of  Africa  will 
put  our  patience  and  perseverance  to  no  ordinary  trial. 
We  must  deliberately  make  up  our  minds  to  persevering 
labors,  and  to  severe  disappointments.  I  wish  not  in 
any  degree  to  conceal  from  myself  or  from  others,  these 
truths. 

"But  the  question  is,  shall  such  an  experiment  be 
made  ?  There  are  two  mighty  arguments  which  should 
prompt  us  to  such  an  undertaking :  the  intense  miseries 
of  Africa,  and  the  peculiar  blessings  which  have  been 
showered  upon  this  country  by  the  mercy  of  Divine 
Providence.  With  regard  to  the  first,  I  need  not  again 
plunge  into  the  sickening  details  of  the  horrors  which 
accompany  this  bloody  trade,  and  of  the  sanguinary  rites 
which  there  bear  the  name  of  religion.  Whether  we 
look  to  the  vast  space  which  is  there  made  a  theatre  of 
public  misery,  or  calculate  how  many  deeds  of  cruelty 
and  carnage  must  be  perpetrated  every  day  in  the  year, 
in  order  to  make  up  the  surprising  total  of  human  dis- 
tress, which,  by  indisputable  documents,  we  know  to  be 
realized,  there  is  enough  to  awaken  the  deepest  pity,  and 
to  arouse  the  most  energetic  resolution. 

"  Turning  to  the  second  consideration,  we  cannot  fail 
to  see  how  signally  this  nation  has  been  preserved,  and 
led  forward  to  an  extent  of  power  and  prosperity,  beyond 
what  almost  any  other  nation  has  been  permitted  to 
reach.  '  It  is  not  to  be  doubted  that  this  country  has  been 
invested  with  v-^ealth  and  power,  with  arts  and  know- 
ledge, with  the  sway  of  distant  lands  and  the  mastery  of 
the  restless  waters,  for  some  great  and  important  purpose 
in  the  Government  of  the  world.  Can  we  suppose  other- 
wise than  that  it  is  our  oflice  to  carry  civilization  and 


AFRICAN  CIVILIZATION  SOCIETY.  201 

humanity,  peace  and  good  government,  and  above  all,  the 
knowledge  of  the  true  God  to  the  uttermost  end  of  the 
earth  ?'  "* 

After  alluding  to  West  Indian  emancipation  as  in  his 
judgment  an  act  of  great  benefit  to  those  raised  by  it  from 
servitude.  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton  eloquently  adds  :  "  A  nobler 
achievement  now  invites  us.  I  believe  that  Great  Britain 
can,  if  she  will,  confer  a  blessing  on  the  human  race.  It 
may  be  that  at  her  bidding  a  thousand  nations  now  steep- 
ed in  wretchedness,  in  brutal  ignorance,  in  devouring 
superstition,  possessing  but  one  trade,  and  that  one  the 
foulest  evil  that  ever  blighted  public  prosperity,  or  poison- 
ed domestic  peace,  shall,  under  British  tuition,  emerge 
from  their  debasement,  enjoy  a  long  line  of  blessings, 
education,  agriculture,  commerce,  peace,  industry,  and 
the  wealth  that  springs  from  it ;  and,  far  above  all,  shall 
willingly  receive  that  religion,  which,  wliilc  it  confers 
innumerable  temporal  blessings,  opens  the  vv-ay  to  an 
eternal  futurity  of  happiness." 

As  some  who  may  look  into  this  volume,  may  not 
have  examined  the  work  of  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton,  nor  be- 
come acquainted  with  the  character  and  proceedings  of 
the  Society  over  which  he  presides,  and  as  I  desire  to  do 
justice  to  that  Society,  I  venture  here  to  insert  the  names 
of  the  provisional  Committee,  which  alone  would  secure 
to  the  institution  a  large  share  of  confidence  and  respect. 

THE    PROVISIONAL    COMMITTEE. 

Chairman — Thomas  Fowell  Buxton,  Esq. 
Deputy  Chairmen — The  Right  Hon.  S.  Lushington,  D.  C.  L., 
M.  P.,  and  Sir  Robert  Harry  Inglis,  Bart.  M.  P. 
The  Earl  of  Euston,  M.  P.  Captain  Cook. 

•  The  Rev.  Mr.  Whewell's  sermon,  before  the  Trinity  Board. 


202 


MISSION. 


Tlie  Earl  of  Cluchcstcr. 
The  Lord  Charles  Fitz  Roy,  M.P. 
The  Lord  Ashley,  M.  P. 
The  Lord  Viscount  Sandon,  M.P. 
The  Lord  Eliot,  M.  P. 
The  Lord'Worsley,  M.  P. 
The  Lord  Bishop  of  London. 
The  Lord  Calthorpe. 
The  Lord  Nugent. 
The  Lord  Teignmouth,  M.  P. 
The  Lord  Bexley. 
The  Lord  Seaford. 
The  Lord  WharnclilTe. 
The  Hon.  C.  P.  Villiers,  M.  P. 
The  Hon.  F.  G.  Calthorpe. 
The  Hon.  W.  Cowper,  M.  P. 
The  Right  Hon.  T.  B.  Macau- 
ley,  M.  P. 
Sir  T.  D.  A  eland,  Bart.,  M.  P. 
Sir  Harry  Verney,  Bart ,  M.  P. 
Sir  George  Stephen. 
Thos.  Dyke  Acland,  Esq.,  M.  P. 
The  Archdeacon  Wilberibrce. 
William  Allen,  Esq. 
Capt.  Bird  Allen,  R.  N. 
Capt.  William  Allen,  R.  N. 
George  Babington,  Esq. 
Edward  Baines,  Esq.,  M.  P. 
J.  J.  Briscoe,  Esq.,  M.  P. 
Edward  N.  Buxton,  Esq. 
Edmund  Buxton,  Esq. 
Robert  Barclay,  jun.,  Esq. 
Jos.  Gurney  Barclay,  Esq. 
Arthur  Kett  Barclay,  Esq. 
Joseph  Beldam,  Esq. 
John  Bandinel,  Esq. 
The  Rev.  Dr.  Bunting, 
The  Rev.  John  Beecham. 
Frederick  Bell,  Esq, 
J  ames  Bell,  Esq. 


Emanuel  Cooper,  Esq. 

Dandeson  Coates,  Esq. 

William  Ewart,  Esq.,  M.  P. 

William  Evans,  Esq.,  M.  P. 

William  Storrs  Fry,  Esq. 

J.  Gurney  Fry,  Esq. 

W.  E.  Forster,  Esq. 

Wm.  E.  Gladstone,  Esq.,  M.  P. 

Henry  Goulburn,  jun.,  Esq. 

Charles  Grant,  Esq. 

Dr.  Gregory. 

Samuel  Gurney,  Esq. 

Samuel  Gurney,  jun.,  Esq. 

Samuel  Hoare,  Esq. 

John  Gurney  Hoare,  Esq. 

William  Hamilton,  Esq. 

The  Rev.  R.  E.  Hankinson,  jun. 

Benj.  Hawes,  jun.,  Esq.,  M.  P. 

Dr.  Hodgkin. 

John  Irving,  Esq.,  M.  P. 

Andrew  Johnson,  Esq. 

Capt.  Kelly,  R.  N. 

J.  J.  Lister,  Esq. 

L.  C.  Lecesne,  Esq. 

Charles  Lushington,  Esq.,  M.  P. 

James  M'Queen,  Esq. 

Richard  Matthews,  Esq. 

The  Hon.  Capt.  Maude,  R.  N. 

Colonel  Nicholls. 

E.  W.  W.  Pendarves,  Esq.,  M.P. 

Robert  Pryor,  Esq. 

C.  L.  Phillips,  Esq. 

George  R.  Porter,  Esq, 

W.  Foster  Reynolds,  Esq. 

W.  Rothery,  Esq. 

Thomas  Sturge,Esq. 

W.  C.  Stretfield,  Esq. 

Benj.  Smith,  Esq.,  M.  P. 

William  Taylor,  Esq. 

Colonel  Torrens. 


COST  OF  NIGER  EXPEDITIOX.  203 

Capt.  Bosanquet,  R.  N.  Capt.  Trotter,  R.  N. 

William  Brackenbury,  Esq.         H.  R.  Upclier,  Esq. 
Tliomas  Clarkson,  Esq.  Capt.  Washington,  R.  N. 

James  Cook,  Esq.  Henry  Way  mouth,  Esq. 

Treasurer — John  Gurney  Hoare. 
Secretanj— The  Rev.  J.  M.  Trew. 
liecciving  Bankers. 
Messrs.  Barclay,  Bevan,  and  Co.,  54  Loznbard  street ; 
Messrs.  Coutts  and  Co.,  59  Strand ; 
Messrs.  Drummonds,  Charing  Cross; 
Messrs.  Hanbury,  Taylor,  and  Co.,  60  Lombard  street ; 
Messrs.  Hankeys,  7  Fenchurch  street; 
Messrs.  Hoares,  37 Fleet  street;  and 
Messrs.  Williams,  Deacon,  and  Co.,  20  Birchinlane. 

Every  candid  mind  will  perceive  the  high  moral  prin- 
ciple which  pervades  the  work  of  Mr.  Buxton,  nor  de- 
sire better  security,  that  the  scheme  proposed  and  advo- 
cated in  that  work  will  be  honestly  and  faithfully  prose- 
cuted, than  the  well  known  integrity  of  the  Chairman 
and  other  members  of  the  provisional  Committee.  In 
regard  to  the  Niger  expedition,  and  the  policy  suggested 
as  best  for  the  overthrow  of  the  slave  trade  and  the  civi- 
lization of  Africa,  difterences  of  opinion  exist,  to  some 
extent,  among  the  good  and  intelligent  of  England.  Yet 
no  one  can  hesitate  to  award  praise  both  to  the  English 
Government  and  to  the  Civilization  Society,  for  the 
admirable  manner  in  which  this  expedition  has  been 
fitted  out,  and  the  ample  provision  made,  in  all  respects, 
to  secure  its  safety  and  success.  The  estimated  cost  to 
the  Government  is  *£61,263.f'     The  expedition  consists 

*  Nearly  $300,000. 

t  "NIGER  EXrEDITION. £61,263. 

"Estimate  of  the  sum  which  will  probably  be  required  to  defray 
the  expenses  of  the  expedition  to  the  river  Niger,  for  the  period 
ending  on  the  31st  of  March,  ISU. 


204  MISSION. 

of  three  iron  steamers,  strongly  built,  in  accordance  with 
the  recommendation  of  Sir  Edward  Parry,  and  which 
bear  the  names  of  the  Albert,  in  honor  of  the  Royal 

"  Cost  of  the  two  large  vessels,  including  engines,  masts,  rig- 
ging, sails,  ancliors,  cables,  and  fixtures,  £24,000;  cost  of  the 
smaller  vessel,  including  the  same,  £6,600. 

"  For  each  vessel,  one  complete  suit  of  spare  sails,  and  of  awn- 
ings ;  a  set  of  side  awning,  curtains,  and  a  chevaux-de-frise ;  an 
additional  spare  cable,  and  felting  the  boilers,  and  hooping  them 
with  wood,  £1,046. 

"  Extra  fittings,  and  recent  improvements,  viz  :  a  boat  over  each 
paddle-box,  as  fitted  in  the  Firefly,  estimated  by  Captain  Trotter 
at  £300  to  £320;  Seward's  guage,  for  ascertaining  the  saltness 
of  the  water  in  the  boilers,  estimated  at  £40;  a  break,  or  com- 
presser,  for  paddle  wheels,  as  fitted  in  the  Gorgon  and  Cyclops, 
and  apparatus  for  throwing  out  hot  v?ater  from  the  boilers,  for  de- 
fence against  the  natives,  £240;  for  oil-cloth  for  the  decks,  £70 
to  £100. 

"  For  improving  the  ventilation,  viz  :  fans  for  the  three  vessels 
with  wheels,  Stc,  £35  each,  £105;  pipes  and  tubes,  £100  for 
each  vessel,  £300;  fittings  up  and  contingencies,  £95;  expenses 
of  Dr.  Reed,  and  remuneration  to  him,  £100. 

"  One  superior  life-boat,  the  cost  of  which  is  estimated  at  from 
£80  to  £100 ;  for  the  purchase  of  canoes  in  Africa,  for  heading 
the  vessel,  for  soundings,  and  for  sending  intelligence,  and  helping 
the  vessels  in  case  of  their  getting  aground  ;  together  with  a  sum 
for  the  purchase  of  a  shell  of  a  small  vessel  at  Sierra  Leone,  to 
take  the  Quorra,  £300. 

"  Tent  equipage,  for  putting  the  sick  on  shore  under  cover, 
£442. 

"  Tools  for  blasting  rocks,  £  140 ;  diving  helmet,  £  100 ;  spades, 
plug-bolts,  and  entrenching  tools,  £90  ;  axes  and  saws  for  felling 
trees  for  supply  of  fuel,  £150. 

•'  Mathematical  and  philosophical  instruments,  including  two 
chronometers,  packing,  and  contingencies,  £344;  additional  in- 
struments for  examining  the  channel  and  determining  points  of 
shoals  and  shores,  £300;  fitting  up  of  compasses  on  Professor 
Airy's  plan,  so  as  to  counteract  the  effect  of  local  attraction,  £100 
for  each  vessel,  £300. 


COST  OF  NIGER  EXPEDITION.  205 

President  of  the  Society;  Wilberforce,  in  memory  of 
that  great  philanthropist;  and  the  Soudan,  (or,  more 
correctly,  Habib-es-Siidan,)    or   Friend  of   the   Blacks. 

"  For  books,  maps,  musical  instruments,  portable  kitchen,  with 
small  articles,  packing,  and  contingencies,  £340;  for  journeys  of 
the  commissioners  to  Liverpool,  and  elsewhere,  on  service,  £200; 
for  fitting  up  of  the  cabin  for  the  commissioners,  £100  to  £117. 

"  Presents  to  the  African  chiefs,  £3,000;  and  for  packing  and 
contingencies,  £300. 

"Gunners',  carpenters',  and  boatswains' stores  for  12  months, 
for  tlie  three  vessels,  to  be  supplied  from  Her  Majesty's  dockyards, 
and  ordnance  department,  £4,000. 

"  Engineers'  stores  for  12  months,  for  the  three  vessels,  to  be 
supplied  from  Her  Majesty's  dockyards,  £1,000. 

"  Carriage  of  boatswains',  carpenters',  and  engineers'  stores  to 
Africa,  £355. 

"  Medical  stores  for  the  period  it  may  be  expected  the  ships  may 
stay  out,  including  bedding  and  other  necessaries  for  the  sick,  and 
medicines  to  dispense  to  the  natives,  £300. 

"  Coals  at  Liverpool,  Falmouth,  Lisbon,  Cape  de  Verde,  Sierra 
Leone,  Fernando  Po,  and  Ascension,  including  a  large  supply  to 
be  taken  to  Fernando  Po,  for  assisting  the  passage  up  the  river, 
and  to  Ascension  and  Sierra  Leone,  for  use  on  the  return  of  the 
expedition,  £4,778. 

"  Ordinary  provisions  for  12  months,  £2,648  ;  preserved  meats 
and  soups,  to  be  served  out  to  the  crew  instead  of  fresh  provisions, 
£1,104;  carriage  of  provisions  to  Fernando  Po,  and  Sierra 
Leone,  and  from  Sierra  Leone  to  the  mouth  of  the  river,  £726; 
expense  of  taking  care  of  provisions  and  of  stores  at  Fernando 
Po,  and  elsewhere,  £220. 

"  Salaries  to  commissioners  and  secretary,  and  additional  allow- 
ance to  chaplain  and  head  surgeon,  £4,000  ;  clerk  to  the  commis- 
sioners, £100  to  £130. 

"Double  wages  for  12  months  for  160  men,  officers  and  crew,  in 
the  steam  vessels,  deducting  the  half-pay  now  enjoyed  by  the 
officers  to  be  employed,  £15,796;  additional  pay  to  engineers, 
when  steam  is  up  within  the  tropics,  agreeably  to  Admiralty  Re- 
gulations, say  for  six  months,  £675. 
18 


206  MISSION. 

The  dimensions  of  these  vessels,  the  two  larger  being  of 
the  same  size  and  power,  and  with  their  stores  alike,  are 
as  follows : 

Albert  and  Wilberforce.  Soudan, 

ft.        in.  ft.        in. 

Length  on  deck,  136  110 

Breadth  of  beam,  27  22 

Depth  of  hold,  10  8      6 

Draught  of  water,  5       9  4 

Tonnage,  about  440  tons.  250  tons. 

Two  sliding  keels  6  feet  deep. 

"Each  of  the  larger  vessels  has  two  engines  of  thirty- 
five  horse  power  each,  and  can  carry  coals  for  fifteen 
days,  (of  twelve  hours.)  The  smaller  has  one  engine  of 
thirty-five  horse  power,  and  can  carry  coals  for  ten  days. 
The  vessels  have  as  roomy  and  airy  accommodations  as 
their  size  would  permit.  The  Soudan  is  intended  for 
detached  service,  when  required,  up  smaller  rivers,  for 
conveying  intelligence  or  invalids,  and  especially  for 
^sounding  ahead  of  the  other  vessels  in  difficult  or  lui- 
known  navigation. 

"  The  vessels  are  thoroughly  equipped  with  every  ne- 
cessaiy,  nay,  every  comfort,  that  prudence  or  foresight 
could  dictate.  The  supply  of  provisions  of  all  kinds  is 
most  ample,  including  preserved  meats,  chiefly  prepared 

"  Wages  and  victuals  for  120  Kroonien,or  other  African  sailors,  to 
be  entered  at  Sierra  Leone,  and  to  be  employed  during  the  stay  of  the 
expedition  in  Africa,  say  for  nine  months  ;  11  of  them  to  be  paid  as 
stokers,  or  1st  class  petty  officers,  and  the  remainder  as  able  or  ordi- 
nary seamen  or  landsmen,  as  may  be  deemed  expedient,  £3,.342. 

"  Wages  and  victuals  to  the  interpreters  throughout  the  expedi- 
tion, including  those  who  may  be  taken  from  Sierra  Leone,  j£700. 

"  One  month's  gratuity  to  such  Kroomen  and  interpreters  as  may 
have  served  faithfully  and  zealously  during  the  whole  of  the  expedi- 
tion, to  be  paid  on  their  return  from  it,  £200." — Jfrican  Colonizer, 


OUTFIT  OF   STEAMERS  207 

by  Goldner,  and  sufiicient  for  the  support  of  the  crew 
for  four  months. 

"For  the  purpose  of  enabling  the  medical  officers  of  the 
expedition  to  render  their  services  useful  to  the  natives, 
an  extra  quantity  of  medicines  has  been  furnished  to 
each  of  the  ships ;  and  from  the  great  respect,  if  not  vene- 
ration, in  which  the  healing  art  is  held  throughout  Africa, 
it  may  be  inferred  that  a  judicious  and  liberal  exercise  of 
it  will  contribute  much  to  the  objects  of  the  expedition. 

"With  the  view  of  endeavoring  to  supply  a  remedy  for 
the  want  of  a  free  circulation  of  fresh  air  between  decks 
in  a  tropical  climate,  and  for  the  miasma  that  usually 
prevails  in  alluvial  soils  on  those  coasts,  a  system  of 
ventilating  tubes  has  been  fitted,  under  the  able  superin- 
tendence o[  Dr.  Reid.  With  this  is  connected  a  cham- 
ber, containing  woollen  cloths,  lime,  Stc,  through  which 
it  is  intended,  whenever  the  presence  of  malaria  is  sus- 
pected, the  air  shall  pass,  previously  to  being  circulated 
below  by  the  ventilating  apparatus."* 

The  hope  is  indulged  that,  by  carefully  observing  the 
effects  of  the  malaric  atmosphere  on  the  substances  in 
this  chamber,  something  may  be  learned  of  this  hitherto 
unknown,  and  formidable  foe  to  life,  and  important  bene- 
fits be  thus  rendered  to  mankind. 

Captain  Trotter  commands  this  expedition ;  a  gentle- 
man who  (reminding  me,  by  an  aspect  and  manner  of 
quiet  earnestness  and  magnanmiity,  of  the  late  Mr.  Ash- 
mun,  whose  wisdom  and  piety  are  imprinted  on  all  the 
early  records  of  Liberia,)  well  exemplifies  the  principles 
and  spirit  of  Christianity,  and  has  already,  while  station- 
ed upon  the  African  coast,  acted  with  great  energy 
against  slave  traders  and  pirates,  on  one  occasion  pur- 

*  Friend  of  Africa. 


208  MISSION. 

suing  the  latter  for  months,  then  capturing  and  bringing 
them  to  justice,  and  receiving  for  this  service  to  huma- 
nity, the  thanks  of  the  President  of  the  United  States.* 
Tlie  crews  of  the  three  vessels  consist  of  88  seamen  and 
stokers,  and  of  these  not  less  than  20  are  Africans  by 
birth.  It  is  expected  to  obtain  the  aid  of  120  Kroomen 
on  the  coast. 

Though  among  the  officers  of  this  expedition  are  gen- 
tlemen of  high  attainments  in  science,  yet  the  Civilization 
Society  has  aw^akened  the  friends  of  knowledge  and  hu- 
manity throughout  England  and   the  continent,  to   the 

*  The  following  is  a  liit  of  the  officers  in  these  steamers  : 

ALBERT. 

Captain  H.  Dundas  Trotter.  Mate,  J.  W.  Fairholme. 

Lieutenant  E.  G.  Fishbourne.  2d  Master,  W.  H.  T.  Green. 

H.  C.  Harston.  Clerk,  W.  R.  Bush. 

Master,  G.  B.  Harvey.  Clerk,  assistant,  J.  Monat. 

Surgeon,  J.  O.M'Williain,M.D.  Gunner,  W.  Merriman. 

Asst.  Surg.,  Jas.  Woodhouse.  Eng'r,  John  Langley,  1st  class. 

Purser,  Wm.  Bowden.  2d      " 

Mate,  W.  C.  V/iUie.  "      Jas.  Brown,       3d      " 
"      M'Leod  B.  Cockcraft. 

WILBERFORCE. 

Commander,  Wm.  Allen.  Mate,  H.  C.  Toby. 

Lieutenant  Jas.  N.  Strange.  "      H.  F.  N.  Rolfe. 

Master,  Wm.  Forster.  Clerk,  J.  H.  R.  Webb. 

Surgeon,  Morris  Pritchett.  M.D.  Engineer,  Wm.  Johnstone 
Assistant  Surg.,  T.  R.  H.  Thorn-  1st  class. 

son. 
Purser,  Cyrus  Wakeham. 

Commander,  Bird  Allen. 

Lieutenant,  

Master,  John  Belam. 
Surgeon,  W.  B.  Marshall. 
Asst.  Surg.,  H.  Collman. 
Clerk  in  charge,  N.  Waters. 


2d      " 

G.  Garritte, 

3d      " 

SOUDAN. 

Mate; 

,  T. 

W. 

Sidney. 

" 

A. 

B. 

Davis. 

" 

W 

.  R. 

Webb, 

Master's 

assistant. 

Eng'i 

•,G. 

v.  Gustaifson 

,  1st  class 

Wm. 

Johnson, 

2d      " 

GREAT  INTEREST  IN  GERMANY.  209 

importance  of  securing  every  advantage  which  may  be 
afibrded  for  tearing  olF  tlie  veil  Avhich  has  so  long  hid 
Africa  from  the  observations  and  inquiries  of  the  learned 
world.  During  the  last  autumn,  Capt.  Washington, 
Secretary  of  the  Geographical  Society,  visited  Germany, 
and,  by  request  of  the  General  Committee,  made  known 
the  objects  of  the  Civilization  Society,  and  from  the 
princes  and  other  distinguished  persons  of  that  country, 
(to  whom  he  presented  the  work  of  IMr.  Buxton,) 
received  assurances  of  friendly  co-operation  in  all  mea- 
sures of  promised  relief  and  elevation  to  the  people  of 
Africa.  Prince  Metternich  said,  "  Sir,  there  is  nothing 
but  the  gospel  and  the  plough  which  can  civilize  Afri- 
ca;" and  added,  "The  general  peace,  the  power  of 
steam,  and  the  discovery  of  the  outlet  of  the  Niger, 
seem  to  point  out  the  very  road  to  Avhich  all  our  efforts 
should  be  directed."  Individuals  eminent  for  science 
and  philanthropy  at  Bonn,  Frankfort,  Vienna,  Dresden, 
Berlin,  Leipsic,  and  many  other  places,  entered  with  en- 
thusiastic ardor  into  the  designs  of  the  expedition,  and 
at  Berlin  "Mr.  Gossner,  the  venerable  pastor  of  the 
Bohemian  church,  when  he  had  heard  all  the  objects  of 
the  Society,  and  its  plans  and  hopes  for  the  melioration 
of  Africa,  fell  down  on  his  knees,  and  blessed  God  that 
he  had  lived  to  see  the  day  that  the  dearest  wish  of  his 
heart  was  about  to  be  carried  into  execution."  The 
venerable  Humboldt  manifested  a  deep  concern  for  the 
prosperity  of  the  Society  and  the  success  of  the  expedition. 
The  commanders  of  these  steamers,  with  Capt.  Cook, 
( known  for  his  humane  exertions  to  rescue  the  crew  of 
the  Kent  East  Indiaman,  when  on  fire  at  sea,)  are  com- 
missioners, appointed  by  the  English  Government  to 
form  treaties  with  the  native  powers. 
18* 


210  MISSION. 

While  eveiy  physical  want  of  this  expedition  has  been 
g-enerously  provided  for  by  the  Government,  the  General 
Committee  of  the  Civilization  Society  have  neglected  no 
means,  and  spared  no  expense,  to  secure  the  services  of 
able  men  in  the  several  departments  of  natural  history. 

Dr.  Vogel,  late  acting  Director  of  the  botanic  garden 
at  Bonn,  and  recommended  both  for  his  abilities  and 
"  excellent  moral  qualities,"  by  the  learned  Humboldt, 
and  who  imites  skill  in  science  to  practical  knowledge  of 
horticulture,  goes  out  as  botanist  to  the  expedition. 

Mr.  Roscher,  a  practical  miner,  educated  at  the  Acade- 
my of  Mines  in  Freiberg,  (the  school  of  Humboldt  and 
Werner,)  is  appointed  geologist  and  mineralogist  to  the 
same. 

Mr.  Frazer,  a  young  naturalist,  (avIio  has  been  curator 
in  the  Zoological  Society  in  London,)  will  examine,  col- 
lect, and  preserve  specimens  from  a  region  unexplored 
by  any  adept  in  his  department. 

A  practical  gardener  and  seedsman  is  employed,  who 
goes  entrusted  with  the  most  useful  seeds  and  plants  and 
is  instructed  to  explain  their  uses,  and  teach  the  natives 
the  modes  of  cultivation. 

A  draughtsman  also  accompanies  the  expedition  to 
furnish  sketches  of  various  objects,  and  of  the  scenery 
and  features  of  the  country. 

In  the  arrangements  thus  made  for  the  advantage  of 
science  the  Civilization  Society  incurs  an  expense  very 
considerably  exceeding  £1,000.* 

The  committee  have  also  (aided  by  M.  D'Avezac,  of 
Paris,  and  two  Ashantee  princes  who  have  been  receiving 
education  at  the  expense  of  the  British  Government  in 
England,)  and  IMr.  De  Graft,  a  native  Fanti,  prepared  a 

*  About  #5,000. 


INTEREST  OF  THE  FRIENDS  OF  SCIENCE.  211 

printed  vocabulary  of  six  African  languages,  spoken  in 
the  countries  bordering  on  the  Niger,  and  also  forwarded 
to  Sierra  Leone  and  Cape  Coast  Castle  for  translation  a 
series  of  medical  enquiries  prepared  by  Dr.  M'William. 

The  eyes  of  the  friends  of  science  in  England  have 
been  directed  from  many  points  towards  this  expedition, 
and  counsel  and  assistance  cheerfully  granted  by  learned 
men  and  societies  in  the  preparation  of  instruments  and 
the  suggestion  of  modes  for  their  most  accurate  and  con- 
venient use.  The  Royal  Society  undertook  to  superintend 
the  construction  of  magnetic  instruments  and  furnished  in- 
structions for  observing  the  magnetic  influences  in  Africa. 

The  medical  gentlemen  of  the  expedition  take  with 
them  an  ample  supply  of  the  vaccine  matter,  (a  large  por- 
tion carefully  put  up  by  Mr.  Ceely  of  Aylesbury,  who  has 
acquired  reputation  by  his  experiments,  showing  the 
identity  of  small  pox  and  cow  pox,)  and  no  pains  will  be 
spared  in  making  known  at  every  place  in  Africa  which 
may  be  visited,  the  mode  of  disarming  one  of  the  most 
fatal  diseases  of  its  destructive  power. 

By  a  careful  analysis  by  Professor  Daniell,  of  King's 
College,  London,  and  other  chemists,  of  the  water  brought 
from  many  different  parts  of  the  African  coast,  and  from 
the  mouths  of  African  rivers,  it  is  ascertained  that  several 
of  them  contain  a  very  extraordinary  quantity  of  sul- 
phuretted hydrogen  gas,  (at  Cape  Lopez  of  11.69  cube 
inches  to  the  gallon,  and  of  grand  Bonny  of  14  cube 
inches  per  gallon,)  and  it  is  not  doubted,  that  to  the  dele- 
terious qualities  of  this  gas,  much  of  the  disease  of  those 
regions  is  to  be  attributed.  Professor  Daniell  has  shown, 
by  experiment,  that  the  origin  of  this  gas  is  traceable  to 
the  reaction  of  vegetable  matter  upon  the  sulphate  of 
soda  in  sea  water,  and  has  suggested  a  simple  mode  of 
generating  chlorine,  which  by  decomposing  this  gas  de- 


212  MISSION. 

stroys  its  power  to  injure.*  While  it  is  supposed  this 
gas  may  extend  along  the  African  coast  1,000  miles,  (co- 
vering some  40,000  square  miles,)  and  some  thirty  or 
Ibrty  miles  up  the  rivers,  it  is  probably  not  found  far  in 

*  "King's  College,  5th  Februamj,  1841. 

"  Mt  Dear  Sir  :  As  any  confirmation  of  my  idea,  that  the 
unhealthiness  of  the  African  coast  is  dependent,  in  a  great  degree, 
upon  the  evolution  of  sulphuretted  hydrogen,  is  calculated  to  give 
confidence  to  those  who  are  about  to  start  upon  the  expedition  to 
the  Niger,  from  the  certainty  of  the  means  of  counteraction  within 
our  power,  I  hasten  to  communicate  to  you  the  result  of  an  experi- 
ment which  certainly  determines  the  origin  of  thatdeleterions  gas 
to  be  the  reaction  of  vegetable  matters  upon  the  sulphate  of  soda 
in  sea  water. 

"  On  the  2d  of  November  last  I  placed  a  quantity  of  newly 
fallen  leaves  in  three  glass  jars  capable  of  holding  about  one  and 
a  half  gallons  of  water. 

"  No.  1.  Upon  the  first  I  poured  about  a  gallon  of  new  river 
water. 

"No.  2.  Upon  the  second  1  poured  about  the  same  quantity  of 
the  same  water,  in  which  three  ounces  of  common  salt  had  been 
dissolved. 

"  No.  3.  Upon  the  third,  the  same  quantity  of  water  in  which 
three  ounces  of  crystallized  sulphate  of  soda  had  been  dissolved. 

"The  three  jars  were  then  placed  in  a  warm  chamber,  the  tem- 
perature of  which  varied  from  about  70°  to  110°,  and  the  water 
was  filled  up  from  time  to  time,  as  it  evaporated,  and  the  mixture 
well  stirred. 

"  Upon  examining  them  yesterday,  the  following  was  found  to 
be  the  state  of  the  jars : — 

"  No.  1  had  a  very  disagreeable  odour,  but  produced  no  change 
whatever  upon  paper  soaked  in  acetate  of  lead. 

"No.  2  was  perfectly  sweet,  and  possessed,  indeed,  a  rather 
agi'eeable  odour.  It  produced  no  effect,  of  course,  upon  the  test 
paper. 

"  No  3  had  a  most  insupportable  sickening  odour,  much  worse 
than  that  of  pure  sulphuretted  hydrogen,  and  instantly  blackened 
paper  soaked  in  acetate  of  lead,  throwing  down  sulphuret  of  lead 
with  a  metallic  lustre. 


USE  OF  CHLORINE  RECOMMENDED.  213 

the  interior.  The  expedition  will  make  experiments  at 
all  points  to  ascertain  the  composition  of  the  waters  and 
how  far  diseases  may  be  caused  by  the  decomposition  of 
vegetable  matter  in  the  water  of  the  ocean. 

The  Rev.  T.  O.  Muller,  who  has  resided  in  Egypt  and 
is  familiar  with  the  Arabic  language,  and  in  every  respect 
well  qualified  for  his  station,  is  chaplain  to  the  expedition. 

Two  young  Ashautees,  of  high  rank  in  their  own  coun- 

"If  you,  or  any  of  your  friends,  would  like  to  see  the  experi- 
ment in  its  present  stage,  it  would  give  me  the  greatest  pleasure  to 
show  it. 

"Now,  for  all  this,  chlorine  fumigation  is  the  certain  remedy,  and 
I  have  taken  the  liberty  of  sending  you  herewith  some  memoranda 
for  conducting  the  process,  with  the  earnest  hope  that  they  may 
be  useful  to  the  expedition.    "  I  remain,  &c., 

«J.  F.  DANIELL. 
"  Capt.  Washington,  R.  N. 

"memoranda  for  fumigation  by  chlorine. 

"  One  part  by  weight  of  common  salt,  and  one  part  of  the  black 
oxide  of  manganese  are  to  be  acted  upon  by  two  parts  of  oil  of 
vitriol,  previously  mixed  with  one  part,  by  weight  of  water,  (nine 
measures  of  acid,  ten  of  water,)  and  left  till  cold.  Such  a  mixture 
will  immediately  begin  to  evolve  chlorine  at  a  temperature  of  60°, 
and  continue  to  do  so  for  four  days  in  a  gradual  manner,  without 
the  application  of  any  extraneous  heat. 

"  The  vessels  in  which  the  mixture  is  made  may  be  flat  pans  of 
any  common  earthenware. 

"  Three  and  a  half  pounds  of  the  mixed  salt  and  manganese, 
with  four  and  half  pounds  of  the  mixed  acid  and  water,  are  calcu- 
lated to  yield  five  and  a  half  cubic  feet  of  chlorine. 

"  In  suspected  situations  it  would  be  desirable  to  have  one  or  two 
charges  of  three  and  half  pounds  of  the  salt  and  manganese  placed 
on  the  windward  side  of  the  deck,  to  be  renewed  on  every  fifth 
da)^  It  is,  however,  impossible  to  give  directions  for  the  exact 
quantity,  the  object  being  to  preserve  an  atmosphere  smelling  of 
chlorine,  but  not  sufficient  to  produce  any  irritation  of  the  lungs, 
or  coughing. 

"Between  the  decks  this  kind  of  fumigation  would  be  too 


214  MISSION\ 

try,  William  Quantamissah  and  John  Ansah,  who  have 
been  educated  at  the  expense  of  the  English  Government, 
and  visited  many  of  the  manufactories,  mines,  cities  and 
imiversities  of  the  kingdom,  return  home  in  this  expe- 
dition, much  impressed  and  benefitted  by  civilization  and 
Christianity.  They  were  some  years  since  given  up  to 
the  English  as  hostages  by  the  king  of  Ashantee,  (one  of 
them  being  his  son,)  and  her  Majesty's  Government  has 
afforded  them  the  best  advantages  for  improvement,  in  the 
hope  that  through  them  the  arts  of  civilized  life  and  the 
blessings  of  the  true  religion  might  be  imparted  to  the 
most  powerful  nation  of  western  Africa.*  In  a  tour 
through  England,  under  the  care  of  the  Rev.  Thomas 
Pyne,  they  received  the  kindest  attentions,  "and  I  can 
only  say,"  observes  the  gentleman,  "  that  the  goodness 
and  hospitality  were  universal;  and  if  ever  my  country 
appeared  honorable  in  my  eyes,  it  has  been  in  witnessing 
the  reception  of  these  two  young  persons,  the  sons  of  a 
long  oppressed  race."     They  visited  the  archbishop  of 

strong  ;  but  pans  containing  chloride  of  lime  and  water  would  be 
sufficient  protection.  The  solution,  however,  should  be  frequently 
renewed. 

"A  charge  of  the  chlorine  mixture  would  be  very  advantageously 
placed  in  the  hold,  if  it  were  to  be  found  not  to  produce  any  seri- 
ous annoyance.  It  should  also  be  remembered  that  there  is  no- 
thing injurious  in  the  odour  of  chlorine,  provided  it  be  not  in  such 
excess  as  to  produce  coughing. 

"J.  F.  DANIELL. 
"  King's  College,  5lh  February,  1841." 

*  It  is  quite  probable  that  motives  less  praiseworthy,  may  also 
have  had  influence  with  the  Government  in  this  matter  ;  I  mean 
of  a  commercial  nature.  While  these  princes  (as  they  were 
termed,)  were  conducted  to  the  great  works  of  England  and  made 
acquainted  with  her  wealth  and  power,  I  was  informed  that  they 
vvere  uot  permitted  to  visit  the  continent. 


ASIIAXTEE   PRINCES.  215 

Canterbury,  who  after  conversing  witli  them  in  the  most 
obliging  manner,  gave  them  each  a  prayer  book  and  his 
blessing.  The  Qneen,  dressed  in  her  robes  of  state,  and 
accompanied  by  Prince  Albert,  admitted  them  to  her  pre- 
sence and  recommended  them  "  to  endeavor  to  teach  their 
people."  They  appeared  fond  of  the  scriptnres,  devout 
at  worship  in  the  family  and  at  church,  were  amiable  in 
temper,  and  grateful  for  benefits.  They  requested  thanks 
to  be  presented  in  their  name  to  the  Government  and  to 
Sir  T.  F.  Buxton,  their  constant  friend,  and  shed  tears 
at  thought  of  their  departure.  "  It  was  my  wish,"  says 
Mr.  Pyne,  "  to  lead  them  to  contemplate  Christ  as  their 
pattern,  and  to  accustom  themselves  to  ask  '  how  would 
my  Saviour  have  acted  had  he  been  in  like  circumstances 
to  mine  P  This,  1  conceive,  next  to  the  trust  in  the 
atonement,  and  to  pray  for  divine  guidance,  will  be  their 
best  rule  of  life."* 

When  we  consider  that  the  Ashantee  country  is  sup- 
posed to  contain  a  population  of  at  least  one  million, 
debased  by  most  cruel  superstitions,  and  crushed  by  an 
absolute  and  remorseless  despotism  ;  that  the  blood  of 
human  victims  is  poured  out  in  the  streets  of  Comossie, 
(the  capital,)  and  their  bodies  cast  aside  in  the  highway 
and  thickets,  to  be  devoured  by  wild  beasts ;  it  is  impos- 
sible that  we  should  not  rejoice  in  the  Christian  educa- 
tion of  these  youths,  and  that  they  seem  disposed  to 

*  While  these  two  young  men  were  on  their  last  visit  to  Sir  T. 
Dyke  Acland,  at  Killerton,  Devon,  this  gentleman  took  them  into 
his  park,  and,  causing  them  to  plant  a  tree  each,  on  a  spot  where 
two  trees  had  died,  said:  "Observe  what  you  have  done;  you 
have  planted  two  living  trees  in  the  place  of  two  dead  ones.  Let 
these  trees  be  an  emblem  to  you,  as  they  will  be  a  memorial  to 
us.  See  that  in  returning,  as  you  so  soon  will  do,  to  your  country, 
■you  root  up  the  dead  tree  of  superstition  and  slavery,  and  plant  in 
its  stead  the  tree  of  life." 


216  MISSION. 

make  knoAvn  to  their  countrymen  that  truth  which  is 
mighty  to  rebuke  the  crimes  and  subdue  the  ferocity  of 
wild  and  savage  men.* 

Thousands  visited  these  steamers  while  lying  in  the 
Thames,  near  London ;  and  from  a  personal  examination 
of  the  Albert,  the  writer  can  testify  to  the  extreme  care 
and  skill  exhibited  in  the  entire  structure,  furniture,  and 
arrangements  of  this  vessel.  A  very  handsome  and  valu- 
able library  (including  the  best  works  on  Africa,)  adorned 
the  commodious  and  beautiful  apartment  of  the  comman- 
der. 

His  Royal  Highness,  Prince  Albert,  inspected  these  ves- 
sels, it  being  the  first  visit  paid  by  him  to  any  of  Her 
Majesty's  ships  in  commission,  and  evinced  the  deepest 

*  "  The  ashantees  at  oxfobd.  —  Amongst  the  numerous 
visitors  to  our  University  daring  the  present  month,  have  been 
Prince  William  Quantamissah  and  Prince  John  Ansah,  of  Ashan- 
tee,  under  the  guidance  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Pyne,  M.  A.  They 
stayed  at  the  Angel  Hotel  nearly  a  week,  during  which  time  they 
were  most  hospitably  received  by  the  Vice-Chancellor,  the  Regis- 
trar of  the  University,  and  the  heads  of  colleges  ;  and  by  many  of 
whom  they  were  entertained  after  visiting  their  respective  col- 
leges. Both  expressed  themselves  exceedingly  gratified  by  the  at- 
tention shown  them ;  and  pleased  with  the  grandeur  of  the  differ- 
ent buildings.  The  princes  are  cousins,  and  nephews  of  the 
present  Sovereign,  and  one  of  them  the  son  of  the  late  King,  at 
whose  funeral  (said  to  be  the  grandest  that  has  ever  taken  place,) 
no  less  than  three  thousand  persons  were  immolated,  including  his 
wives  and  many  of  the  nobility.  This  barbarous  custom  arises 
from  the  superstitious  behef  that  it  will  be  necessary  for  their 
Sovereigns  to  be  attended  by  similar  retinues  when  they  appear 
before  the  Great  Spirit,  as  when  they  walked  on  earth.  The  prin- 
ces were  hostages  for  ten  years  at  Cape  Coast,  for  the  preservation 
of  peace  between  their  country  and  our  government.  They  have 
since  been  baptized  and  become  Christians,  and  have  prayers  regu- 
larly every  morning  and  evening,  with  their  chaplain,  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Pyne."— Ox/o?-d  Herald. 


PRIN'CE  ALBERT.  217 

concern  for  the  health  of  the  officers,  and  for  the  success 
of  their  exertions.  On  taking  the  chair  at  the  first  meet- 
ing of  the  Society  in  Exeter  Hall,  a  few  months  before, 
he  had  declared  that  he  had  been  induced  to  preside  on 
the  occasion  from  a  conviction  of  the  paramount  impor- 
tance of  the  institution  to  the  great  interests  of  humanity 
and  justice.  A  few  days  after  the  visit  of  Prince  Albert 
to  these  ships.  Captains  Trotter,  William  Allen,  and  Bird 
Allen,  received  each  a  highly  finished  chronometer,  bear- 
ing the  folloAving  inscription : 

"  Presented  by  his  Royal  Highness,  Prince  Albert,  to 

,  of  her  Majesty's  steamer ,  on  his  departure 

with  the  expedition  to  the  Niger,  for  the  abolition  of  the 
slave  trade.— aiarch  23,  1841." 

The  sympathies  of  British  Christians  have  been  gene- 
rally excited,  and  their  fervent  prayers  ofiered  in  behalf 
of  this  expedition.  Those  who  compose  it  have  mani- 
fested a  becoming  reverence  for  the  Great  Author  of  their 
lives  and  hopes,  and  sense  of  dependence  upon  his  Provi- 
dence. Two  discourses  are  on  our  table,  preached  on 
board  the  Albert,  just  before  her  departure;  the  first  by 
the  chaplain,  Mr.  Muller,  and  the  last  by  the  Rev.  C.  F. 
Childe,  M.  A.,  Principal  of  the  Church  Missionary  Col- 
lege, Islington.  The  words  in  which  IMr.  Childe  con- 
cludes, have  a  solemnity  and  pathos  well  suited  to  the 
occasion. 

"  Go  forth,  brethren,  in  the  name  and  strength  of  the 
Lord,  and  success  must  be  yours.  The  manner  or  the 
time  of  its  manifestation  we  may  not  determine.  The 
process  may  be  painful.  You  may  not  live  to  reap  the 
fruit  of  your  labor,  but  you  shall  not  labor  in  vain.  God 
calls  you  to  the  enterprize;  your  Sovereign's  auspices 
invite  you;  your  country's  sympathies  attend  you;  the 
19 


218  Missiox. 

prayers  of  Christendom  follow  you;  and  though  it  he 
but  little  that  the  '  least  of  all  saints '  can  proller,  I  do 
earnestly  and  alTcctionately  implore  the  God  of  Britain 
and  your  God,  to  be  with  you  ;  to  be  your  sun  and  shield ;' 
to  give  you  grace  and  glory,  so  that  to  live,  should  you 
live,  may  be  Christ,  and  to  die,  when  you  die,  may  be 
gain." 

The  Soudan  sailed  from  Plymouth  on  the  19th  of 
April ;  the  Albert  and  Wilberforce  on  the  12th  of  May. 
They  touched  at  Liberia  on  the  9th  of  July,  tlie  writer 
having  had  the  pleasure  of  giving  letters  of  introduction 
to  Captain  Trotter,  to  the  Governor  of  that  colony.  At 
Cape  Coast  Castle,  the  steamei's  were  to  be  replenished 
with  coals  from  a  store  ship,  and  malce  arrangements  for 
the  ascent  of  the  Niger.  It  is  proposed  that  the  expedi- 
tion make  its  first  stop  at  Ibu,  one  hundred  and  twenty 
miles  from  the  sea;  thence^with  little  delay,  proceed  to 
the  first  hills  at  the  apex  of  the  Delta,  about  forty  miles 
above;  thence  to  Attah,  sixty  miles;  thence  to  the  mouth 
of  the  Chadda,  two  hundred  and  seventy  miles  from  the 
ocean,  where  efforts  will  be  made  to  negotiate  treaties, 
and  convince  the  natives  of  the  benevolent  objects  of  the 
expedition.  The  upper  parts  of  the  Quorra,  and  also  the 
Chadda,  may  thence  be  explored.  Some  parties,  it  is 
thought,  might  reach  lake  Chad,  on  the  east,  or  Tumbuktu 
to  the  north-west,  thus  connecting  the  exploratory  jour- 
neys of  Denham,  Clapperton,  and  Laing,  with  points  to 
be  correctly  laid  down  by  this  expedition,  "  which  is 
supplied  with  twelve  of  the  best  chronometers,  and  Avith 
the  necessary  instruments  for  a  complete  geographical 
survey  of  the  rivers  and  countries  which  may  be  explor- 
ed. The  committee,  contemplating  such  a  possible  op- 
portunity, has  placed  £1000  at  the  disposal  of  the  com- 


JUSTICE  TO  THE  CIVILIZATION  SOCIETY.  219 

mandcr  of  the  expedition,  to  be  used  either  in  some 
benevolent  plans  for  the  Africans,  or  in  endeavoring  to 
gain  a  more  intimate  knowledge  of  the  interior  of  the 
country.  Such  journeys  as  we  have  alluded  to,  would 
not  be  barely  geographical  researches,  but  the  traveller 
would  be  instructed  to  carry  out  to  the  fullest  extent  the 
benevolent  objects  of  the  mission,  and  to  procure  every 
information  that  would,  at  a  future  time,  enable  us  the 
more  effectually  to  become  '  The  Friend  of  Africa.'  "* 

No  insensibility  to  the  merits  or  cherished  ignorance 
of  the  proceedings  and  success  of  the  American  Coloni- 
zation Society,  on  the  part  of  the  committee  of  the  Civi- 
lization Society ;  no  coldness  and  neglect  manifested 
towards  the  writer,  as  representing  the  views  and  expec- 
tations of  the  friends  of  African  colonization  in  the 
United  States,  shall  induce  him  to  withhold  a  just,  al- 
though perhaps  inadequate,  tribute  of  praise  to  the  go- 
vernment and  philanthropists  of  England,  for  the  generous 
and  Christian  manner  in  which  tliey  are  engaged  in  en- 
deavors to  relieve  and  bless  the  most  injured  and  afflicted 
population  of  the  globe.  True,  considerations  of  patrio- 
tism may  blend  with  their  sentiments  of  humanity,  and 
the  hope  of  commercial  gain  prove  a  stimulus  to  Chris- 
tian benevolence,  and  yet  to  them  may  be  due  the  appro- 
bation of  all  virtuous  minds.  The  imperfections  of  our 
nature  will  tinge  the  best  schemes  and  works  of  man ; 
and  well  does  it  become  us,  until  we  can  feel  conscious 
of  no  fault  or  inflniiity,  to  interpret  charitably  each 
other's  conduct,  and  not  unkindly  question  the  motives  of 
noble  actions.  I  have  confidence  in  the  integrity  and 
benevolence  of  the  African  Civilization  Society ;    and, 

*  "  Friend  of  Africa,"  published  by  the  African  Civilization 
Society,  and  to  which  I  am  much  indebted. 


220  MISSION. 

while  regarding  the  plan  of  colonization  developed  in 
Liberia,  as  above  all  others  important  to  Africa,  I  have 
some  apprehensions,  that,  unless  a  spirit  in  her  cause, 
holier  and  more  ardent,  animate  our  hearts,  the  judgment 
of  posterity  will  assign  to  us  but  a  second  place  among 
her  deliverers  and  benefactors.  If  there  be  cause  for 
such  apprehensions,  heaven  grant  that  it  soon  cease  to 
exist.  What  excuse  can  this  nation  offer  that  no  explor- 
ing expedition  has  been  sent  to  the  African  coast ;  that 
no  liberal  appropriations  from  the  public  funds,  are  made 
to  assist  a  people  to  whom  good  offices  arc  most  justly 
due,  to  recover  their  long  lost  inheritance,  and  reclaim 
the  barbarous,  perishing  millions  of  their  ancient  mother 
country  I  Not  that  I  would  lightly  regard  the  expendi- 
tures by  the  State  of  Maryland,  and  some  measure  of 
aid  and  encouragement  from  the  government  of  the  Union, 
yet  is  it  but  too  true  that  as  a  nation  we  have  done  no- 
thing in  this  case  to  be  compared  to  the  greatness  of  the 
object,  or  M'orthy  of  our  character.  We  are  yet  to  make, 
as  a  nation,  our  first  grand  movement  for  Africa;  nor  can 
we  act  too  soon,  or  with  too  much  power. 

A  word  of  the  causes  that  disinclined  Sir  T.  F.  Bux- 
ton and  his  associates  to  the  avowal  of  opinions  and  the 
adoption  of  measures  in  concord  with  the  views  and 
policy  of  the  American  Colonization  Society. 

First.  Convictions,  produced  mainly  by  American 
Abolitionists,  that  the  Colonization  Society  obstructs  the 
cause  of  emancipation  in  America.  Our  social  and 
political  condition,  and  the  condition  of  the  African  race 
in  this  country,  are  very  imperfectly  understood,  even  by 
enlightened  Englishmen.  They  do  not  readily  perceive 
how  associations,  on  the  principle  of  immediate  emanci- 
pation, in  Great  Britain,  should  have  proved  so  mighty 


OPPOSING  CAUSES. 


221 


in  overthrowing  slavery  in  the  West  Indies,  and  that  simi- 
lar societies  in  this  country  should  prove  less  efl'ective. 
Tliey  naturally  give  credit  to  the  publications  of  Ameri- 
can Anti-slavery  societies,  and  welcome  to  their  shores 
and  confidence  their  agents  and  lecturers.  The  most 
horrible  pictures  of  the  wrongs  of  slavery  are  exhibited 
before  public  assemblies,  and  the  Colonization  Society 
denounced  as  the  worst  engine  of  oppression  ever  de- 
vised by  fraud  and  wickedness.  The  most  shocking 
instances  of  injustice  and  crime  in  the  treatment  of 
slaves,  which  have  been  collected  and  circulated  by  the 
Abolitionists  on  this  side  the  Atlantic,  are  reprinted  and 
dispersed  abroad  in  England,  to  strengthen  prejudice  and 
inflame  the  popular  passions  against  our  southern  States, 
Thus  the  English  public  are  well  prepared  to  believe, 
without  examination,  that  an  institution,  condemned  by 
American  Abolitionists,  and  supported  in  part  by  Ameri- 
can slave-holders,  is  undeserving  of  approbation.  While 
many  intelligent  English  Christians  are  compelled  to 
admit  Liberia  to  be  a  light  and  blessing  to  Africa,  they 
condemn  those  who  planted  it  as  hostUe  to'  the  freedom 
of  the  slave  in  the  United  States.  Their  doctrines  on 
this  subject,  and  their  ideas  of  American  slavery,  are 
derived  from  Americans.  What  was  the  language  of  the 
delegates  from  American  Anti-slavery  societies,  before 
English  audiences,  during  the  last  year  ?  * 

*  "  I  lament  the  temper  mutually  rankling  between  the  slave- 
holders and  the  Abolitionists,  and  am  convinced  that,  so  long  as  it 
shall  exist,  the  abolition  of  slavery  in  this  Union,  or  even  in  the 
District  of  Columbia,  is  as  far  beyond  the  regions  of  possibility, 
as  any  project  of  the  philosophers  of  Laputa.  The  multiplication 
of  anti-slavery  societies  within  the  last  three  years  has  appeared 
to  me  rather  to  weaken  than  to  promote  their  cause,  or  at  least 
their  prospects  of  immediate  or  early  success.  With  the  increase 
19* 


222  MISSION. 

Oil  the  27th  of  July,  1840,  Mr.  Wm.  Lloyd  Garrison 
(of  Boston,)  addressed  a  large  meeting  in  Dr.  Wardlaw's 
chapel,  Glasgow,  and  among  other  things,  is  reported  to 
have  said — 

"  There  was  nothing  so  palatable  to  the  supporters  of  perpetual 
slavery,  as  the  American  colonization  scheme.  Why,  what  was 
the  design  of  it  ?  It  was  to  get  rid  of  the  '  niggers,'  as  they  called 
them  —  to  ship  out  of  the  country  every  free  colored  person,  that 
tlie  slaves  might  be  held  more  securely  in  bondage,  and  that  they 
might  have  no  temptation  to  long  for  freedom  from  the  presence 
of  freemen  of  their  own  complexion  around  them." 

Again :  "  The  Abolitionists  had  a  perfect  right,  according  to 
the  professions  of  those  who  had  taken  on  them  the  name  of 
Christ,  to  demand  that  ihej^  should  go  forward  in  the  good  cause  ; 
but  where  was  the  American  church  that  was  on  the  side  of  hu- 

of  their  numbers,  new  and  collateral  questions,  always  contro- 
vertible and  perplexing,  like  parasite  suckers  from  the  main  stem 
of  the  tree,  have  sprung  up  to  divide  their  counsels  and  introduce 
dissension  among  thelnselves.  The  captious  disputations  of  moral 
and  political  casuistry,  about  non-resistance,  defensive  war,  the 
rights  of  women,  political  action,  no  Government,  the  social  con- 
dition of  the  colored  race,  the  encouragement  given  to  the  slaves 
to  escape  from  their  masters,  and  exaggerated  representations  of 
the  miseries  of  their  condition,  have  eminently  concurred  not  only 
to  counteract  their  inlluence  upon  the  main  object  of  their  asso- 
ciation, but  to  make  them  unpopular  and  even  odious,  not  only  in 
the  South,  but  in  all  parts  of  the  Union.  Their  anno3^ance  of 
candidates  for  popular  election,  by  putting  searching  questions  to 
them  as  tests,  importing  at  once  a  promise  and  a  threat,  has  not 
propitiated  to  them  the  good  will  of  any  party,  and  has  made  them 
obnoxious  to  all.  Tlse  purity  of  the  jirinciple  of  these  formal 
interrogatories,  for  answers  to  be  followed  by  suflrages,  is  very 
questionable,  with  reference  to  the  freedom  of  elections.  The 
expedient  itself  lias  seldom  if  ever  been  successful  to  accomplish 
its  object.  It  ha,'',  in  almost  every  instance,  disclosed  the  weak- 
ness of  the  Abolitionists  as  a  party,  distinct  from  the  great  politi- 
cal competitors  ibr  the  favor  and    the   power  of  the   people." 

John  Q.  Adams. 


SPIRIT    OF    THE    ABOLITONISTS.  223 

manity  ?  Was  the  church  clieering  on  the  little  band  of  Abolition- 
ists ?  Oh,  no !  the  most  deadly  enemy  of  the  abolitionist  cause 
was  the  American  Church — it  iiad  no  flesh  in  its  obdurate  heart. 
Oh,  none  -whatever.  All  denominations  were  included;  they 
would  give  no  countenance  to  a  movement,  having  for  its  object 
the  cause  of  religion  and  humanity.  They  took  the  ground  that 
slavery  was  justifiable  —  tliat  necessity  demanded  it  —  that  on  the 
whole  it  was  not  anti-christian,  and  they  brought  Scripture  to 
prove  that  it  was  right  to  hold  human  beings  in  slavery.  They 
hated  the  doctrine  of  emancipation.  *  *  *  *  £^(-  ■yyi^gn  he 
said  this  in  sorrow  against  the  Christian  Church,  he  did  not  wish 
to  be  understood  as  saying  that  all  individuals  and  churches,  or 
synods,  were  opposed  to  their  cause.  Thanks  be  to  God,  there 
were  men  who  loved  the  abolition  cause,  but  they  were  hated  and 
denounced  as  the  disturbers  of  the  peace,  and  attempts  were 
making  to  bring  them  under  the  discipline  of  the  Church,  and 
cast  them  off.  Last  year,  the  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  in  Philadelphia,  came  to  the  conclusion  that,  as  they  had 
no  judicial  or  legislative  voice  as  to  the  emancipation  of  slaves, 
therefore  they  would  not  lift  their  voice  in  the  matter ;  but  they 
had  judicial  and  legislative  power  enough  to  libel  those  who  held 
abolition  views.  The  Baptists  were  no  better,  and  the  Methodists 
were,  if  possible,  worse  than  all." 

Again :  "  It  was  an  axiom  with  the  opposers  of  abolition,  that 
God  had  made  a  distinction  between  the  classes  of  people,  and 
that  we  must  hate  them  when  we  meet  lliem.  This  was  Christian 
doctrine  in  America." 

At  the  World's  Anti-slavery  Convention  in  London, 
in  June,  1841,  J.  G.  Birney,  Esq.,  among  other  things 
said — 

"  The  colonization  scheme  in  his  country  was  the  strongest  an- 
tagonist to  the  free  principle  advocated  by  the  friends  of  the 
negro ;  and  although  it  was  ineffectual  in  carrying  out  the  object 
in  view,  yet  it  was  not  ineflective  in  its  opposition  to  the  Anti- 
slavery  Societ}^" 

The  Rev.  John  Keep,  of  Ohio,  at  the  same  Conven- 
tion said  — 

"  As  an  American  citizen,  he  miglit  be  allowed  to  say  a  few 
words  on  the  state  of  the  question  there.    They  had  the  American 


224  Missiox. 

Government,  the  American  Ministry,  and  the  American  Churcii 
against  them,  but  their  cause  was  rapidly  making  way.  The 
state  of  society  in  the  United  States  showed  them  how  deep,  how 
forbidding,  and  how  appalling,  were  the  horrors  of  the  American 
slave  system ;  and  how,  he  would  ask,  was  it  for  a  few  philan- 
thropists to  go  forward  to  the  consummation  of  the  work,  unless 
they  were  assisted  and  encouraged  by  the  blessing  of  God,  and 
their  fellow  philanthropists  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic.  He  trust- 
ed that  that  slave-cursed  country  would  occupy  still  more  of  the 
attention  of  the  Convention,  that  they  would  lay  aside  eveiy  thing 
like  prejudice,  or  that  was  calculated  to  keep  back  British  influ- 
ence, British  prayers,  and,  if  need  be,  British  money,  to  sustain 
the  anti-slavery  operations  in  America." 

Mr.  Stanton  said  among  other  things  — 

"  The  northern  slave  states  reared  slaves  whom  the  southern 
states  worked  into  premature  graves.  The  former  were  the 
Congos  and  Guineas  of  American  slavery  to  the  extreme  southern 
states.  In  raising  hemp  and  tobacco  at  home,  they  did  not  need 
slave  labor.  Slavery,  therefore,  was  profitable  in  the  northern 
states  by  raising  men  and  women  for  saTe  ;  and  he  would  only 
say,  with  regard  to  their  ambassador  to  this  country,  that  while  he 
was  a  slave  holder,  if  he  did  not  traffic  in  human  flesh,  he  was  an 
exception  to  the  great  mass  of  Virginian  slave  holders,  and  he 
thought  it  incumbent  on  that  gentleman  to  prove  that  he  came 
within  the  exception,  instead  of  the  general  rule." 

"Mr.  O'Connel. —  He  denies  any  knowledge  of  such  practices 
in  America." 

"  Mr.  Stanton. —  Then  he  is  too  ignorant  to  represent  the  Ameri- 
can people  here,  or  too  dishonest;  for  there  is  on  this  table  a  docu- 
ment from  the  press  of  his  native  state,  which  says  that  in  1806, 
twenty  millions  of  dollars  worth  of  slaves,  were  sold  from  Virginia 
to  the  other  states.  Virginia  not  a  slave  breeding  state  !  in  what 
else  is  her  property  but  in  human  flesh  ?"* 

Again  in  his  address  at  Glasgow,  Mr.  Stanton  said  — 
"  Let  the  religious  bodies  in  this  country  resolve  to  hold  no  fel- 

*  Mr.  Stanton  is  a  young  man  from  jVc«  England,  and  we  liave  never  lieard  of 
his  visiting  any  Southern  State.  We  would  not,  without  clearest  evidence,  have 
believed  that  any  American  citizen  would  have  rudely  attacked  the  Minister  of 
liis  own  country,  in  the  presence  of  thousands,  in  a  foreign  capital ! 


SPIRIT    OF    THE    ABOLITINISTS.  225 

lowship  with  the  supporters  of  slavery  ;  would  any  of  them  hold 
fellowship  with  a  church  whose  members  traded  in  sheep  stealing  ? 
And  which  was  the  worst,  the  stealers  of  men  with  the  image  of 
God  stamped  on  their  soul,  or  the  stealers  of  beasts,  whose  spirit  at 
death  goeth  downwards  ?  The  meeting  would  perhaps  hardly  be- 
lieve it;  but  it  was  a  fact,  that  in  many  places,  so  perverted  were 
the  minds  of  the  people,  that  a  man  who  should  be  cruel  to  a  beast, 
would  not  be  allowed  to  pass  without  censure  from  his  church, 
while  not  a  word  would  be  said  were  he  to  flay  his  slave  alive." 

Mr.  Wendell  Phillips,  (of  Boston,)  among  other  things 
said  — 

"  The  fact  was,  it  might  be  said  of  America,  in  this  country, 
that  the  sceptre  had  not  departed  from  Judah  —  that  though  the 
connection  had  been  dissolved  between  this  country  and  America, 
as  far  as  holding  its  own  Parliaments  and  directing  its  own  affairs, 
yet  they  were  in  its  vassalage  as  far  as  talents  and  genius  were 
concerned. 

"  The  anti-slaver}''  Abolitionists  had  eloquent  and  devoted  men 
in  their  cause  ;  but  the  American  public  would  not  listen  to  them. 
England,  and  England  alone,  was  the  fulcrum  by  w'hich  American 
glory  was  to  be  uprooted  for  ever.  It  rested  not  w4th  America, 
for  it  was  beyond  her  power." 

Mr.  G.  Bradburn,  of  Massachusetts,  said  — 

"  Now  what  is  the  meaning  of  the  term  republic  ?  Why,  it 
meant  a  state  governed  for  the  whole  community.  Was  the  in- 
terest of  the  whole  community  considered  by  any  state,  whether 
a  republic  or  not,  where  slavery  was  allowed  to  exist  ?  Yet  such 
was  the  state  of  things  in  republican  America.  Why  even  the 
Autocrat  of  Russia,  who  held  his  authority  from  God  alone,  ad- 
mitted that  the  Government  should  be  carried  on  for  the  benefit  of 
the  people  ;  and  he  would  venture  to  say,  that  the  Government  of 
Russia  was  far  more  like  a  republic,  than  the  Government  of 
America,  for  in  the  latter  country  they  did  not  profess  to  carry  on 
the  Government  for  the  benefit  of  the  whole,  for  there  it  was  said 
all  men  were  born  equal  with  one  another,  with  the  exception  of 
negroes.  They  had  not  the  liberty  of  the  press  in  America,  neither 
had  they  religious  liberty,  for  a  man  in  that  country  could  not  alter 
his  religious  convictions  with  respect  to  slavery,  unless  that  con- 
viction was  that  it  was  patriarchal." 


226  Missiox. 

Mr.  Galonsha,  (of  Vermont,  we  believe,)  said  — 
"  The  meeting  must  remember  that  there  was  but  one  blot  upon 
the  character  of  America.  The  only  apology  he  could  offer  for 
his  country  was,  that  it  was  possessed  of  the  Devil.  The  dele- 
gates from  America  asked  for  the  aid  of  the  people,  through  their 
literature,  their  religion,  and  their  prayers,  to  exorcise  America,  and 
drive  the  demon  of  slavery  out  of  her." 

These  are  but  a  few  sentences  (as  specimens,)  of  the 
spirit  and  style  of  speeches,  which,  (if  collected  together, 
would  constitute  volumes,)  were  made  during  the  last  year 
by  American  citizens  before  large  audiences  in  England. 
It  may  be  Avell  imagined  that  they  left  deep  impressions. 
Most  men  are  influenced  rather  by  appeals  to  the  imagi- 
nation than  the  reason ;  with  them,  passion  rules  the 
judgment.  It  is  more  agreeable  to  nations,  as  to  indi- 
viduals, to  denounce  the  errors  and  sins  of  others,  than 
to  consider  and  correct  their  own.  It  is  easy  to  pour 
forth  a  flood  of  sympathy  and  remonstrance  in  behalf  of 
the  oppressed  of  distant  lands,  and  reproach  those  whom 
we  deem  guilty  of  this  oppression,  while  the  cry  of 
misery  is  at  our  doors,  and  through  our  own  evil  policy, 
thousands  starve  and  perish  in  our  streets.  Censure  is 
often  a  tax  paid  by  selfishness  to  hypocrisy. 

In  the  second  place,  the  benevolent  of  England  do  not 
clearly  discriminate  between  the  elements  involved  in  the 
subject  of  American  slavery  and  the  system  they  have 
abolished  in  the  West  Indies,  and  their  self-complacency 
in  view  of  their  own  act  of  emancipation,  disposes  them 
to  expect  others  to  imitate  their  example.  Pride  is  ever 
the  concomitant  of  arbitrary  power.  Whatever  might 
be  said  in  defence  of  the  conduct  of  England  towards 
the  West  India  planters,  at  the  tribunal  of  humanity  or 
religion,  she  has,  according  to  Granville  Sharp,  the  great 
father  of  English  abolition,  in  forcing  emancipation  upon 


WEST  I.\DIAi\  EIMA.\CIPATIOX.  227 

those  denied  their  natural  right  to  representation  in  Par- 
liament, violated  a  fundamental  principle  of  the  British 
constitution.*     She  has  reduced  the  white  population  of 

*  How  keenly  the  planters  felt  the  arbitrary  acts  of  Parliament, 
appears  from  the  following  resolutions,  adopted  by  the  House  of 
Assembly  in  Jamaica,  31st  October,  1S38  : 

"  Resolved,  1st.  That  the  act  of  the  British  Parliament,  inti- 
tuled '  An  act  for  the  better  government  of  prisons  in  the  West 
Indies,'  is  a  violation  of  our  inherent  rights  as  British  subjects, 
as  recognized  by  the  Constitution  of  this  Island,  and  by  act  of 
Parliament,  IS  Geo.  iii,  c.  12 ;  and  that  the  same  has  not,  and 
ought  not,  to  have  the  force  of  law  in  this  Island  ;  and  that  the 
authorities  will  not  be  justified  in  acting  on  it."  For  this  resolu- 
tion, ayes  24,  noes  5. 

"  Resolved,  2d.  That  the  violation  of  our  rights  by  the  Parlia- 
ment of  Great  Britain,  in  which  we  are  not  represented,  is  the  less 
excusable,  inasmuch  as  this  House  was  prepared  to  enter  into  the 
consideration  of  prison  discipline  as  soon  as  the  report  of  her 
Majesty's  commissioner  was  officially  before  them."  Ayes  25, 
noes  3. 

"  Resolved,  3d.  That  the  House  have  witnessed  with  the  deep- 
est regret,  the  unmerited  censures  passed  upon  the  inhabitants  of 
this  Island ;  the  extent  to  which  the  public  mind  in  Great  Britain 
has  been  poisoned  against  ihem  ;  the  absence  of  all  confidence  in 
the  legislature  ;  the  reckless  manner  in  which  the  laws  passed  by 
it  have  been  disallowed,  and  the  system  of  legislation  for  the  colo- 
nies, which  has  been  determined  on,  whereby  the  power  of  the 
House  has  been  fettered,  and  that  body  has  ceased  to  exist  for  any 
purpose  useful  to  the  people  it  represents."   Ayes  24,  noes  5. 

"Resolved,  4th.  Therefore,  that  in  tlie  opinion  of  this  House, 
they  will  best  consult  their  own  honor,  the  rights  of  their  consti- 
tuents, and  the  peace  and  well  being  of  the  colony,  by  abstaining 
from  the  exercise  of  any  legislative  functions,  excepting  such  as 
may  be  necessary  to  preserve  inviolate  the  faith  of  the  Island 
with  the  public  creditor,  until  her  most  gracious  Majesty's  plea- 
sui'e  shall  be  made  known,  whether  her  subjects  of  Jamaica,  now, 
happily,  all  in  a  state  of  freedom,  are  henceforth  to  be  treated  as 
subjects  with  the  power  of  making  laws,  as  hitherto,  for  their 
own  government,  or  whether  they  are  to  be  treated  as  a  conquered 


228 


MISSION. 


the  West  Indies  to  political  slavery,  that  she  might  raise 
the  blacks  to  personal  freedom,  softening,  it  is  true,  the 
despotism  of  her  act  by  the  grant  of  twenty  millions  of 
pounds  to  those  Avhom  she  has  compelled  to  yield  to  it. 
Certainly,  the  writer  hopes,  as  all  good  men  desire,  that 

colony,  and  governed  by  Parliamentary  legislation,  orders  in  coun- 
cil, and,  as  in  the  case  of  the  late  amended  abolition  act,  by 
investing  the  Governor  of  the  Island  with  the  arbitrary  power  of 
issuing  proclamations  having  the  force  of  law  over  the  lives  and 
properties  of  the  people."     Ayes  24,  noes  5. 

Upon  the  adoption  of  these  resolutions,  the  Governor  (Sir 
Lionel  Smith,)  prorogued  the  Assembly  to  the  3d  of  November. 

The  House  of  Assembly  that  met  in  November,  concurred  in 
the  views  expressed  in  the  resolutions  of  their  predecessors,  and 
the  body  was  dissolved. 

The  Assemblies  of  St.  Vincent's,  and  of  Tobago,  also  express 
their  sense  of  an  infraction  of  their  chartered  rights  by  the  acts  of 
the  British  Parliament. 

From  the  work  of  Joseph  John  Gurney,  who  visited  several  of 
the  West  India  islands  in  the  early  part  of  last  year,  we  infer  that 
the  Jamaica  House  of  Assembly  had  resumed  their  legislation,  yet 
several  of  their  very  recent  acts  were,  in  his  opinion,  opposed  to 
the  true  intent  and  purpose  of  the  act  of  emancipation.  If  so, 
there  is  little  doubt  that  they  will  be  over-ruled  by  the  home  Go- 
vernment. 

I  have  examined  with  some  care,  the  documents  printed  by 
order  of  Parliament,  relating  to  the  effects  of  emancipation,  and 
the  present  state  of  the  British  West  Indies,  and  find  the  testimo- 
ny of  the  planters  and  their  agents,  and  that  of  the  stipendiary 
magistrates,  and  other  officers  of  the  Crown,  widely  to  disagree. 
I  have  also  read  attentively,  the  letters  of  that  intelligent  and 
eminently  Christian  man,  Mr.  Gurney. 

It  must  be  admitted,  I  think,  that  the  crops  have  greatly  dimin- 
ished, and  that  much  less  labor  has  been  performed  in  the  same 
time,  since  emancipation,  than  during  slavery.  A  friend  in  Lon- 
don gave  me  a  statement  of  the  sugar  crop  from  many  estates  in 
the  parish  of  Westmoreland,  Jamaica,  during  the  years  1838, 
1839,  and  1840,  compared  with  the  average  crop  under  slavery. 
The  result  is,  omitting  fractions  : 


WEST  INDIAN   EMANCIPATION.  229 

her  bold  and  precipitate  measures,  in  this  case,  may 
finally  augment  the  happiness  of  the  emancipated,  and 
of  the  entire  population  of   her  West   India   colonies. 

Slave  labor.  During  agitations  and  process  of 

Average  crop.  emancipation,  and  since. 

1838  1839  1840 

Hhds.  Hhds.         Hhds.  Hhds. 

11,000  4,000  3,300  2,000 

And  yet,  Mr.  Gurney  was  assured  "  that  landed  property  in  that 
Island  now,  without  the  slaves,  is  worth  its  full  former  value, 
including  the  slaves,  during  the  times  of  depression,  which  pre- 
ceded the  act  of  emancipation.  It  has  found  its  bottom,  has  risen, 
and  is  still  gradually  rising.  'I  believe,  in  my  conscience,'  says 
Dr.  Stewart,  '  that  property  in  Jamaica,  without  slaves,  is  as 
valuable  as  it  formerly  was  with  them.  I  believe  its  value  would 
be  doubled  by  sincerely  turning  from  all  the  relics  of  slavery  to 
the  honest,  free  working  of  a  free  system.'  " 

It  is  clear  that  we  cannot  yet  form  an  accurate  judgment  of 
what  is  to  be  the  social  and  political  condition  of  the  British  West 
Indian  colonies.  That  the  views  and  opinions  of  the  planters  are 
too  little  regarded,  that  a  rash  zeal  has  stimulated  England  to 
wrest  nearly  every  power  from  their  hands,  is  certain.  But 
diminished  crops,  and  various  embarrassments,  for  a  time,  of  the 
social  system,  are  evils  greatly  over-balanced,  we  must  think,  by, 
the  prospective  benefits  secured  to  the  emancipated,  and  ultimate- 
ly to  the  entire  population.  The  reports  of  the  Governor,  and 
officers  of  the  Crown  generally,  represent  a  great  improvement  as 
manifest  in  the  morals,  education,  and  comforts  of  the  liberated 
slaves.  Making  due  allowance  for  their  desire  to  gratify  the 
wishes  of  the  English  people,  we  presume  this  to  be  true.  They, 
as  well  as  JMr.  Gurney,  attribute  the  existing  difficulties  to  unfair- 
ness, unkindness,  or  injustice  on  the  part  of  the  land-owners  Cer- 
tain stipendiary  magistrates,  in  one  of  their  reports,  say,  "  We 
cannot  conclude  this  reply  to  the  Trelawney  report,  without 
remarking,  that  the  abrogation  of  the  apprenticeship  has,  with 
astonishing  celerity,  developed  all  those  elements  of  prosperity 
contemplated  by  statesmen  as  one  of  its  most  important  objects, 
in  a  degree  beyond  the  most  sanguine  expectations  ;  as  evinced  in 
20 


230  MISSION. 

But  no  power,  similar  to  hers,  exists ;  none  could  be,  in 
like  manner,  applied  to  effect  emancipation  in  this  coun- 
try ;  nor,  as  yet,  are  the  benefits  of  abolition  in  the  West 
Indies,  so  clear  and  impressive,  so  avoAved  by  the  testi- 

the  large  amount  of  capital  since  invested  in  this  colony ;  in  the 
purchase  of  lands  at  an  amazingly  increased  value,  by  resident 
individuals;  in  the  improvement  and  increase  of  buildings  for 
social  and  mercantile  uses ;  in  the  erection  and  enlargement  of 
temples  for  religious  worship,  and  in  the  improved  cultivation 
and  greater  care  and  attention  paid  to  the  fencing  and  subdivision 
of  land ;  and  in  the  greater  division  of  wealth  among  the  working 
people,  by  which  their  personal  appearance  and  social  habits  and 
morals  have  been  improved  to  a  most  gratifying,  and,  considering 
the  short  space  of  time,  surprising  extent." 

We  are  surprised  that  Mr.  Gurney  should  be  of  opinion  "  that 
nothing  would  more  serve  the  purpose  of  good  order  and  tranqui- 
lity, in  the  colony  of  Jamaica,  than  the  settlement  of  a  magistracy 
wholly  independent  of  all  parties  in  the  island,  and  paid  by  the 
home  Government."  Alluding  to  the  stipendiary  magistrates, 
appointed  by  the  Crown,  he  says  :  "  To  remove  them  from  their 
posts,  would,  in  our  opinion,  be  little  short  of  a  death  blow  to  the 
peace  and  liberty  of  the  colonies.  We  venture,  with  great  defer- 
ence, to  express  our  decided  judgment,  that  their  original  number 
ought  to  be  filled  up,  and  their  office,  as  local  justices  of  the 
peace,  rendered  fully  efficacious  and  permanent.  These  remarks 
are  made  without  any  feeling  of  ill  will  or  prejudice  against  the 
planters  and  their  agents,  localized  in  Jamaica.  We  entertain 
warm  feelings  of  regard  and  friendship  towards  many  of  these 
persons ;  from  all  of  them,  whom  we  saw  and  visited,  we  met 
with  unvarying  kindness  and  civility.  We  give  them  credit,  in 
general,  for  honorable  and  benevolent  views  and  feelings.  But 
we  know  the  effect  on  the  minds  of  men,  of  the  circumstances  in 
which  they  are  placed,  and  have  watched  the  silent  influence  of 
local  bias.  It  is  a  true,  though  trite  remark,  that  'when  self  the 
wavering  balance  shakes,  'tis  seldom  right  adjusted;'  and  hence 
it  obviously  follows — I  am  sure  the  planters  will  admit  it — that  in 
him  who  holds  the  scales  of  justice,  self  ought  to  have  no  interest 
whatsoever  in  the  questions  to  be  decided."    No  American  could 


WEST  INDIAN  EMANCIPATION.  231 

mony  of  those  most  affected  by  the  change,  as  to  put 
beyond  question,  the  wisdom  and  benevolence  of  all 
the  means  and  measures  by  which  it  Avas  accomplished. 
Though  I  believe  that  the  present  advantages  of  this  ex- 
periment are  much  less,  and  the  evils  much  greater,  than 
have  been  represented  by  its  ardent  friends,  yet  of  its 
final  good,  there  can  be  little  cause  to  doubt.  Improve- 
ment is  the  companion  of  liberty  5  nor  can  any  fi-ee 
people,  in  this  age,  and  in  time  of  peace,  with  means  of 
education  and  the  light  of  Christianity,  fail  to  rise  in 
condition  and  in  character.  But  if  the  citizens  of  our 
southern  States  should  examine,  with  humane  interest, 
the  operations  of  West  India  emancipation,  the  people  of 
England  should  know  that  so  little  analogy  can  be  found 
between  society  as  it  existed  prior  to  that  act  in  her  colo- 
nies, and  as  it  exists  in  the  southern  States  of  this  Union, 

havo  written  such  a  passage;  no  free,  people  will  ever  submit  to 
such  an  arrangement.  How  would  it  suit  the  feelings  of  Eng- 
lishmen, to  have  the  administration  of  their  laws  under  the  control 
of  those,  owing  them  no  responsibility,  appointed  and  paid  by  a 
ioreign  people  ? 

With  all  the  injustice  which  may  have  attended  it,  we  have 
termed  this  work-of  emancipation  a  noble  experiment,  regarding 
mainly  the  humane  sentiments  which  prompted  it,  and  the  mighty 
blessings  which,  we  trust,  will  be  secured  by  it,  to  a  large  portion 
of  the  human  race. 

Yet  the  friends  of  this  work  in  England  should  reflect  on  the 
following  remarks  of  the  venerable  John  Q.  Adams  : 

"  And  how  was  the  emancipation  of  slaves  in  the  British  colo- 
nies accomplished?  By  act  of  Parliament  —  an  assembly  in 
which  the  colonists  had  no  representation.  In  direct  contradic- 
tion to  the  principle  upon  which  our  revolution  was  founded.  If 
the  question  had  been  submitted  to  the  decision  of  the  Legislative 
Assemblies  of  the  colonies  themselves,  do  you  imagine  that  any 
such  emancipation  would  have  been  effected,  even  for  twice  or 
thrice  the  amount  of  the  indemnity  allowed  by  Parliament?" 

I 


232  MISSION. 

tliat  its  results,  however  successful,  can  shed  but  a  diin 
and  uncertain  light  upon  tlie  prospects  of  our  colored 
population. 

.,  In  the  third  place,  it  may  have  been  thought  politic  by 
Sir  T.  F.  Buxton  and  his  associates,  to  avoid  that  which 
must  expose  them  to  the  hostility  of  the  Anti-slavery 
organizations  of  England,  as  an  avowal  of  confidence  in 
the  Colonization  Society,  would  inevitably  have  done. 
The  movement  of  the  Civilization  Society  has  doubtless 
already  weakened  the  action  of  the  Anti-slavery  party, 
nor  have  the  latter  failed  to  look  with  distrust  upon  a 
scheme  which,  it  must  be  admitted,  accords  in  very 
many  of  its  principles  with  that  so  beneficially  developed 
in  the  establishment  of  Liberia.  The  desire  to  retain 
the  favor  of  the  Anti-slavery  Society,  may,  more  or  less, 
bias  the  judgment  of  the  Committee  of  the  Civilization 
Society.  Truth  triumphs  slowly  over  prejudice,  and  the 
voice  of  interest  is  often  more  persuasive  than  hers. 
Had  the  Civilization  Society  publicly  and  decidedly  ap- 
proved of  the  character  and  measures  of  the  Coloniza- 
tion Society,  I  believe  that  it  would  have  gained,  on  the 
whole,  more  than  it  had  lost,  and  that  the  efiect  on  the 
mind  of  both  England  and  America,  had  been  to  strengthen 
between  them  the  ties  of  peace,  while  unitedly  engaged 
in  bringing  Africa  and  her  enslaved  and  dispersed  children 
to  participate  in  our  common  laws,  civilization,  and 
Christianity. 

Fourthly.  If  the  philanthropy  of  the  Civilization  Socie- 
ty is  not  unmixed  with  the  love  of  glory,  and  the  good 
and  great  of  England,  prefer,  to  that  of  any  other  coun- 
try, the  honor  and  renown  of  England,  it  will  but  prove 
iiuman  nature  to  be  the  same  in  Great  Britain  as  in 
America,  and  that  imperfection  (if  indeed  it  should  be 


LOVE  OF  RENOWN".  233 

sti  calletl,)  belongs  to  the  noblest  associations  and  cnlcr- 
prizes  of  man.  Liberal  minds  are  not  yet  prepared  t<» 
nrase  patriotism  from  the  list  of  the  virtues,  nor  to  Avar 
npon  those  partial  affections  which  entwine  with  such 
constancy  and  strength  around  the  reputation  of  our 
country.  The  pride  of  Englishmen  is  proverbial,  and 
they  intend  no  other  people  shall  excel  them  in  deeds 
which  fame  shall  register.  Some  fiery  particles  of  this 
ambition,  I  imagine,  blend  with  the  purer  sentiments  of 
the  African  Civilization  Society.  May  their  exertions 
for  Africa  excite  Americans  to  holy  emulation  ;  nor  may 
either  seek  other  controversies  than  in  regard  to  methods 
of  well-doing,  and  how,  in  the  shortest  time,  the  richest 
blessings  may  be  imparted  to  the  greatest  number  of  the 
miserable  inhabitants  of  Africa, 

Fifthly.  Causes  of  irritation  between  the  United  States 
and  Great  Britain,  tend  to  diminish  the  confidence  which 
shordd  subsist  between  the  benevolent  of  both,  in  their 
humane  and  religious  enterprizes,  and  to  sunder  all  the 
bonds  of  union.  The  losses  in  England,  in  consequence 
of  the  derangement  of  our  currency,  and,  in  too  many 
instances,  the  failure  of  our  credit,  have,  to  a  great  ex- 
tent, produced  aversion  to  American  afiairs  and  American 
character.  The  evil  effects  of  a  non-fulfilment  of  our 
pecuniary  engagements,  are  universal,  and  like  a  lurking 
contagion  in  the  atmosphere,  diffusing  themselves  silent- 
ly, without  observation,  but  with  malignant  power. 

Finally^  That  some  change  is  effected  in  distinguished 
English  minds  in  favor  of  the  American  scheme  of  African 
colonization,  I  think  certain  ;  and  that  the  seeds  of  right 
opinion  Avill  grow  and  become  widely  disseminated,  I 
cannot  cease  to  hope.  It  were  worth  the  labor  of  any 
individual,  and  for  the  most  protracted  life,  to  unite  the 
20* 


234  MISSION. 

hearts  of  American  and  English  phiUmthropists,  even  on 
this  one  subject  of  Africa.  But  to  render  both  duly  sen- 
sible of  the  sanctity  of  those  ties  wliich  should  bind  them 
together;  of  the  duties  of  mutual  justice  and  forbear- 
ance ;  of  their  obligations  to  seek  the  things  that  make 
for  peace ;  of  their  responsibilities  as  Christian  nations, 
to  the  Divine  Author  of  their  faith,  the  mighty  and  uni- 
versal Sovereign — to  publish  his  law,  and  lift  up  the 
signals  of  his  mercy  in  all  lands;  were  an  object  seldom 
surpassed  in  magnitude  and  beneficence.  Causes,  light 
and  trivial  in  themselves,  may  confirm  peace  or  lead  to 
war.  Nations  are  but  congregated  individuals,  exposed, 
like  them,  to  temptation,  ruled  by  similar  motives,  and 
agitated  by  the  same  passions.  They  are  not  less  sus- 
ceptible to  respect  and  courtesy  than  to  injustice.  The 
wounds  of  national  honor  are  not  soon  healed.  Confi- 
dence, once  weakened,  may  not  for  years,  if  for  centuries, 
be  repaired.  Nations,  while  the  general  mind  is  clear 
and  bright  Avith  reason  and  kind  afi'ections,  rest,  ocean- 
like, in  their  grandeur ;  but  let  this  mind  be  clouded  by 
distrust,  or  inflamed  by  vindictive  passions,  the  wrath 
of  the  tempest,  dasliing  the  waves  against  the  heavens, 
inadequately  symbolizes  their  terrible  and  destructive 
power. 

In  this  age,  can  the  people  of  Great  Britain  and  the 
United  States,  of  a  common  descent,  language,  manners 
and  religion,  enriched  by  tlie  oracles  of  Divhie  wisdom, 
and  as  Christians  pledged  to  promulgate,  throughout  the 
world,  their  great  doctrines  of  liuman  responsibility  and 
immortality,  unmindful  of  their  trust,  incensed  and  im- 
pelled by  some  infernal  spirit  of  pride  and  malice,  come 
ibrlh  from  the  temples  of  the  Saviour  and  the  sad  em- 
blems  of  his  death,  madly  to  -war  upon    each  other : 


MEETING  IN  LONDOxV.  235 

At  such  a  spectacle,  the  standard-bearers  of  civilization 
and  Christianity  would  grow  faint;  the  friends  of  God 
and  man  everywhere,  should  rend  their  garments,  and, 
with  uplifted  hands,  cry  out  in  one  voice  against  the 
monstrous  crime. 

To  avert  such  evil,  the  citizens  of  both  countries 
should  desire  to  render  prevalent  correct  general  impres- 
sions of  each  other''s  character ;  for,  while  these  exist 
among  the  mass  of  the  people,  particular  causes  of  irri- 
tation or  acts  of  injustice  on  either  side,  will  be  ascribed 
to  human  infirmity,  and  find  no  soil  from  which  to  spring 
up  into  active  and  determined  hostility.  Between  nations, 
ignorance  is  too  frequently  the  parent  of  suspicion,  sii.s- 
picion  of  enmity.  A  war  could  never  arise  between  the 
English  and  Americans,  were  they  well  acquainted  with 
each  other.  Steam  navigation  is  bringing  us  together;  we 
shall  soon  sit  down  by  each  other's  firesides,  feel  that  we 
are  brethren,  and  leave  grim-visaged  War  to  hang  up 
his  shield,  and  hold  his  revels  in  the  halls' of  Odin. 


I TKUST  it  will  be  imputed  to  no  improper  motives  that  I  conclude 
this  statement  with  the  proceedings  of  a  public  meeting,  held  in 
London,  a  few  days  before  my  departure,  at  which  llobert  Gros- 
venor  (son  of  the  Marquis  of  Westminster,)  presided,  and  which 
I  addressed  in  behalf  of  the  general  objects  of  my  mission.  Under 
the  discouraging  circumstances  in  which  I  found  myself  in  Eng- 
land, I  was  gratified  that  individuals,  whose  opinion  is  so  valua- 
ble as  that  of  those  whose  names  are  subscribed  to  this  docu- 
ment, entertainedjand  were  pleased  to  express,  a  favorable  opinion 
of  my  conduct. 


236  MISSION. 

"  At  A  Public  Meeting  held  at  the  Hanover  Square  Rooms, 
London,  on  the  —  day  of  June,  1841,  it  was  unaniinouslj-  agreed, 
that  the  following  testimonial,  signed  on  behalf  of  that  meeting, 
should  be  presented  to  the  Rev.  R.  R.  Gurley,  of  Washington,  U. 
S.,  as  a  simple  expression  of  the  respect  and  attachment  his  cha- 
lacter  and  talents,  and  his  able  exertions  on  his  recent  mission  to 
England,  have  drawn  around  him. 

"The  undersigned,  desiring  to  testify  their  sense  of  the  zeal 
and  ability  with  which  the  Rev.  R.  R.  Gurley,  of  Washington, 
U.  S.,  has  discharged  the  arduous  and  important  mission  in  which 
he  has  been  recently  engaged  in  this  country,  have  much  pleasure 
in  subscribing  the  following  statement : 

"The  Rev.  R.  R.  Gurley,  for  many  years  secretary  to  the  Ame- 
rican Colonization  Society,  came  to  England  in ,  1840,  for 

the  purpose  of  endeavoring  to  obtain,  on  behalf  of  that  Society, 
the  sympathies  and  co-operation  of  the  friends  and  advocates  of 
African  Civilization  in  Great  Britain.  The  subject  has  already 
been  talcen  up  by  many  influential  individuals,  through  the  exer- 
tions of  Sir  Fowell  Buxton ;  and  it  was  believed  in  America,  that 
there  was  a  great  similarity  not  only  in  their  contemplated  design, 
but  in  their  proposed  means  of  carrying  it  into  effect. 

"  Under  such  circumstances,  and  with  such  prospects  of  accom- 
plishing a  great  good  by  a  union  of  strength,  collision  and  inter- 
ference were  as  much  to  be  deprecated,  as  co-operation  was  to  be 
desired.  The  object,  therefore,  of  the  Rev.  R.  R.  Gurley  was,  not  to 
seek  the  assistance  of  this  countrj'^  in  away  that  might  embarrass 
the  progress  of  British  philanthropy  through  its  own  channels, 
cither  in  a  pecuniary  or  moral  point  of  view  ;  but  on  the  contrary, 
by  offering  mutual  and  equivalent  advantages  to  ensure  to  each  side 
all  the  practical  benefits  and  direct  encouragement  which  could 
be  derived  from  the  example  and  labor  of  the  other.  Unhappil}- 
several  circumstances  combined  to  thwart  the  Rev.  R.  R.  Gurley  in 
his  indefatigable  efforts  to  conduct  his  mission  to  this  very  desirable 
conclusion.  In  the  first  place,  at  the  time  of  his  arrival  in  Eng- 
land, the  individuals  with  whom  it  was  necessary  for  him  to  meet 
and  confer  were  scattered  over  different  parts  of  the  country,  there 
being  only  a  particular  season  of  the  year  when  the  members  of 
public  Societies  are  gathered  together  in  London.  In  the  next 
place,  after  developing  his  plans  and  laying  the  foundations  for  liis 
future  movemenis,  it  was  discovered  that  there  existed  certain 


MEETING    m    LONDON  237 

differences  between  tlie  objects  of  the  two  Societies,  or,  if  not 
between  the  ultimate  objects,  at  least  between  the  modes  of  carrying 
them  out ;  which  differences  were  regarded  by  the  principal  per- 
sons connected  with  the  British  Society  to  be  great  and  insurmoun- 
table. And,  in  the  third  place,  and  above  all,  it  was  found  that 
the  feelings  entertained  in  this  country  towards  the  Society  of 
which  the  Rev.  R.  R.  Gurley  was  the  representative,  were  of  a 
kind  to  render  the  desired  co-operation,  not  only  a  matter  of  extra- 
ordinary difficulty,  but,  in  the  present  state  of  public  opinion, 
respecting  the  civilization  of  Africa,  absolutely  hopeless  and  im- 
practicable. This  last  circumstance  would  have  been  alone  suffi- 
cient to  have  frustrated  the  efforts  of  any  individual  appointed  by 
that  Society  at  any  time,  to  explain  its  views  in  England,  but  occur- 
ring at  a  time  when  other  plans  were  actually  in  progress  for  the 
benefit  of  Africa,  it  presented  obstacles  to  the  desired  union  of  the 
English  and  American  Societies  which  time  alone  can  effectually 
remove. 

"  Placed  in  these  novel  and  painful  circumstances,  the  Rev.  R. 
R.  Gurley  never  forgot  the  high  trust  that  was  reposed  in  his 
hands.  Where  some  men  would  have  abandoned  the  undertaking 
in  despair,  or,  risked  its  future  success  by  the  indiscretions  of  a 
hasty  zeal,  he  pursued  his  objects  with  a  calm  and  patient  persever- 
ance that  won  the  personal  esteem  even  of  many  who  still  con- 
tinued adverse  to  the  principles  of  the  Colonization  Society. 
During  the  period  of  his  residence  in  England,  he  has  been  assidu- 
ously occupied  in  diffusing  information  through  all  accessible 
channels  of  publicity,  regarding  the  plans  and  proceedings  of 
his  constituents  in  America.  And  it  may  be  confidently  asserted, 
that  while  his  statements  deeply  interested  all  who  were  fortunate 
enough  to  have  the  advantage  of  hearing  them,  they  brought  convic- 
tion to  the  minds  of  some  who  had  previously  been  either  doubtful 
or  opposed. 

"  Having  thus  displayed  a  temper  at  once  firm  and  conciliatory, 
and  great  energy,  perseverance,  and  eloquence,  in  the  midst  of 
the  most  trying  difficulties,  it  is  the  anxious  desire  of  the  under- 
signed that  the  Rev.  R.  R.  Gurley  on  returning  to  America  should 
take  with  him  some  evidence  for  his  own  satisfaction,  and  that  of 
his  friends,  that,  although  his  visit  to  England  has  not  been 
followed  by  the  results  he  hoped  for,  yet  that  the  duty  he  undertook 
was  discharged  with  an  ability  and  earnestness  commensurate  to  the 


238 


magnitude  of  the  objects  it  embraced.  That  the  inadequate  issue 
of  his  labors  was  to  be  attributed,  not  to  any  want  of  zeal  or  intel- 
lectual power  on  his  part,  but  partly  to  the  inherent  difficulties  of 
the  task  itself,  and  partly  to  obstacles  of  a  temporary  character, 
which  no  zeal  or  power  could  at  present  overcome.  That  not- 
withstanding the  impediments  he  encountered,  he  had  conciliated 
a  large  portion  of  respect  and  attachment  for  himself  and  his  con- 
stituents, and  that  it  might  be  finally  stated  with  confidence,  that 
his  mission  had  been  of  very  considerable  moral  value  as  a  success- 
ful means  of  removing  much  prejudice  and  of  promoting  that  good 
feeling  and  cordial  friendship  which  should  always  exist  between 
the  philantliropists  of  Great  Britain  and  America." 


Thomas  Campbell,  L.  L 

G.  Tradescant  Lay. 

Julian  R.Jackson. 

R.  Sutherland. 

J.  Shillinglaw. 

Chevalier  Dillon,  M.  L.  H 

John  Sheehan. 

n.  W.  Masterson. 

M.  M'Dermott. 

V.  B.  Breare3\ 

A.B.  Wright. 

Jarnes  Blair. 

C.  Lister. 

Heniy  May. 

W.  D.  Maillard. 

L.  Costello. 

Joseph  Adams. 

Dillon. 

J.  Blair. 

M.  Cooper  Vanderhorst. 


D.        Thomas  Hodgkin,  M.  D. 
Petty  Vaughan. 
Robert  Bell. 
Joseph  Travers. 
Wm.  B.  Costello,  M.  D. 
Frederick  Maitland  Innes. 
Daniel  Joseph  Carroll,  M.  D. 
Daniel  Lister. 
Richard  Vine. 
Edmund  Tuke. 
John  Wright. 
Junius  Smith,  L.L.D. 
Andrew  Wright. 
Ricliard  King. 
E.  Hogg. 
M.  Story. 
B.  Clark. 
John  Harris. 
John  S.  Lillie. 
John  E.  Jones. 


APPENDIX   A. 


FACTS. 

By  the  original  constitution  of  the  American  Colonization 
Society,  an  annual  contribution  of  one  dollar,  secured  to  an  indi- 
vidual the  privileges  of  membership,  and  of  not  less  than  thirty  dol- 
lars, at  one  time,  of  membership  for  life.  Those  members  elected 
annuall}'^  the  officers,  viz:  a  President,  Vice  Presidents,  Secretarj-, 
Treasurer,  and  Recorder,  and  a  Board  of  Managers,  composed  of 
the  above  named  officers  and  twelve  other  members  of  the  Society. 
The  Board  of  Managers  conducted  the  business  and  made  annual 
report  of  their  proceedings  to  the  Society. 

The  writer  received  an  appointment  as  agent  for  the  Society  in 
1822,  Elias  B.  Caldwell,  Esq.,  (clerk  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the 
United  States,)  being  at  that  time  Secretary.  He  was  occupied 
mostly  in  efforts  for  the  Society,  (principally  as  resident  Agent  at 
Washington,  in  consequence  of  the  ill  health  and  arduous  profes- 
sional duties  of  Mr.  Caldwell,)  until  the  decease  of  that  gentleman 
in  1S25,  after  which  he  was  elected  Secretary.  Having  commenced 
the  publication  of  the  African  Repository  in  1825,  the  duty  of 
conducting  the  editorial  department  of  this  work  ;  the  entire  corres- 
pondence of  tiie  Society;  the  principal  arrangement  of  business 
for  the  consideration  of  the  Managers,  and  the  execution  of  most 
of  the  acts  and  resolutions,  up  to  the  middle  of  the  year  1833. 
devolved  almost  exclusively  upon  him.  At  the  anniversary  of  the 
Society  in  1833,  the  writer  submitted  the  form  of  a  new  Constitu- 
tion for  the  Association  to  the  consideration  of  the  meeting. 

At  the  Annual  meeting  in  January,  1834,  a  Committee  was 
appointed  to  take  into  view  the  re-organization  of  the  Society. 
This  Committee  reported  a  new  Constitution,  which  was  adopted. 
According  to  this  instrument,  every  citizen  of  the  United  States 
who  should  contribute  thirty  dollars  to  the  Society  was  to  be  a 
Life  Member,  and  tlie  privilege  of  voting  at  the  election  of  ofFicer.s 
was  to  be  limited  to  Life  Members  and  the  Delegates  from  Auxili- 
aries, each  having  the  right  to  send  five,  and  the  Board  of  3Ianu- 


240  MISSION. 

gets  of  the  Society  were  to  be  composed  of  the  Secretaries,  the 
Treasurer,  the  Recorder,  and  nine  other  members  of  the  Society.  An 
additional  Secretary  cliosen  at  this  meeting  declined  the  appoint- 
ment. It  was  decided  that  the  Treasurei  and  Recorder  should 
receive  salaries,  it  being  understood  that  the  former  would  devote 
his  whole  time,  the  latter  a  large  portion  of  his,  to  the  interests  of 
the  Society.  Several  gentlemen  who  had  not  before  been  con- 
nected with  the  affairs  of  the  Society  were  appointed  on  the  list  of 
Managers.  An  earnest  (but  as  has  been  seen  unsuccessful)  attempt 
was  made  at  this  time  to  exclude  the  Secretaries,  Treasurer  and 
Recorder  of  the  Society  from  the  Board  of  Managers,  and  to  render 
their  appointment  and  duties  wholly  dependent  upon  the  will  of 
that  Board. 

During  the  preceding  year  the  State  Colonization  Society  of 
Marj'land  had  determined  to  ibund  a  Colony  at  CapePalmas,  to  be 
aided  by  the  appropriations  of  the  Legislature  of  the  State,  and 
by  other  donations,  and  to  be  exclusively  under  the  control  of  that 
Society. 

It  was  expected  that  the  changes  in  the  Constitution  and  manage- 
ment of  the  parent  Society,  which  were  produced  in  great  part  by 
the  votes  of  gentlemen  from  the  North,  would  unite  the  Associa- 
tions they  represented,  more  closely,  in  spirit  and  action  to  that 
Institution. 

Unfortunately  for  the  resources  of  the  latter,  the  Pennsylvania 
Society  proceeded  forthwith  to  found  a  settlement  at  Bassa  Cove, and 
the  New  York  City  Society  soon  after  entered  into  combination  tvith 
that  of  Pennsylvania,  ioT  the  furtherance  of  the  same  enterprize. 

In  18.37  the  Societies  of  Mississippi  and  Louisiana  proceeded  to 
expend  their  funds  in  pitrchasins;  a  tract  of  country,  and  planting  a 
setilemeni  at  the  moulli  of  the  Sinou  river. 

Wliatever  may  have  been  the  eiiectupon  the  general  cause,  it  is 
evident  that  the  funds  were  diverted  by  these  operations  from  the 
Treasury  of  the  parent  Society. 

As  two  other  gentlemen  were  now  associated  with  him  in  the 
office  of  the  Society,  the  writer  was  requested  to  visit  various  parts 
of  the  Union  to  enforce  the  object  and  raise  funds  for  the  cause. 
Of  course  from  the  time  of  this  organization  up  to  that  which 
occurred  in  December,  1838,  the  writer  was  absent  much  from  the 
sessions  and  deliberations  of  the  Managers. 

At  the  Annual  meeting  in  December,  1837,  the  following  pre- 


APPENDIX.  241 

amble  and  resolutions  were  offered  by  the  writer  to  the  considera- 
tion of  the  Society : 

"  Inasmuch  as  this  Society  has,  for  years  past,  been  suffering 
under  pecuniary  embarrassments,  and  as,  from  various  causes, 
(among  which  the  partially  separate  operations  of  some  Auxiliary 
Societies,  and  the  entii-ely  independent  action  of  the  Maryland 
State  Society,  and  the  recently  disturbed  and  distressed  state  of 
the  pecuniary  affairs  of  the  country,  must  be  deemed  prominent,) 
these  embarrassments  are  very  slowly,  if  at  all  diminishing,  the 
Society  are  convinced  that  measures  must  be  devised  and  executed 
to  augment,  very  materially,  the  resources  of  the  Society,  or  that 
its  operations  must  be  exceedingly  irregular  and  inefficient,  if  not, 
in  a  short  time,  altogether  suspended.  Donations  to  this  Institu- 
tion can  be  expected  only  from  those  who  are  informed  of  its  prin- 
ciples and  proceedings,  and  who  feel  an  interest  in  its  success. 
The  first  thing  to  be  done,  then,  in  order  to  secure  relief  from  pecu- 
niary embarrassment,  must  obviously  be,  to  diffuse  extensively  a 
knowledge  of  the  views  and  prospects  and  condition  of  the  Society 
and  by  arguments  and  appeals  awaken  public  interest  in  its  behalf. 
This  can  be  effected  only  by  the  Press,  by  Agents,  or  by  both. 
And  if  the  Society  possesses  no  adequate  means  of  increasing  its 
publications  and  agencies,  it  must  proceed  upon  the  presumption 
that  such  publications  and  agencies  will  sustain  themselves,  or 
entirely  abandon  the  cause. 

"It  is  well  known  that  the  most  distinguished  friends  of  the 
Society  have,  from  its  origin,  regarded  its  exertions  as  rather  ex- 
perimental and  preliminary  than  as  sufficient  and  final ;  and  have 
expected  that  the  great  scheme  of  the  Society,  shown  to  be  prac- 
ticable by  private  charity,  would  be  conducted  forward  to  those 
vast  and  beneficent  results  which  it  was  designed  to  embrace,  by 
the  united  ti-easure  and  power  of  the  States  and  General  Govern- 
ment. It  is  clear  that  neither  the  States  nor  General  Government 
will  apply  their  means  to  aid  this  scheme,  until  public  opinion 
shall  sanction  such  applicatio  n,  and  that  efforts  are  indispensable 
to  commend  the  cause  of  African  colonization  to  the  regard  of 
the  American  people,  before  their  opinion  will  ever  be  expressed 
in  favor  of  such  application.  Should  this  Society  neglect  to  put 
forth  these  efforts,  to  what  other  means  can  we  look  to  enlighten 
and  form  public  opinion  on  this  subject? 

"1.  Therefore,  Resolved,  That  this  Society  will  encourage  the 
21 


243  MISSION. 

establishment  in  this  Districlof  a  weekly  newspaper,  to  be  devoted 
in  paxt  to  the  cause  of  African  Colonization,  and  that  it  be  recom- 
mended to  the  friends  of  the  Society  tliroughout  the  Union,  to 
extend  their  patronage  to  such  paper,  as  well  as  to  do  all  in  their 
power  to  increase  the  circulation  of  the  African  Repository. 

"  2.  Resolved,  That  it  is  expedient  to  employ  at  the  earliest 
possible  period  at  least  twenty  able  and  discreet  agents,  to  explain 
publicly  the  views,  and  enforce  the  claims  of  this  Society,  as  also 
to  receive  donations  for  its  objects;  and  that  the  friends  of  the 
Society,  throughout  the  country,  be  invited  to  give  information  to 
the  Board  of  JVIanagers,  of  gentlemen  known  to  them  as  prepared 
and  inclined  to  engage  in  agencies  for  tiiis  Society. 

"3.  Resolved,  That  a  memorial  be  prepared,  addressed  to  the 
Congress  of  the  United  States,  praying  that  an  expedition  may  be 
fitted  out,  in  which  commissioners  of  this  Society  may  bs  per- 
mitted to  embaik,  to  explore  the  western  coast  of  Africa,  to  ascer- 
tain the  situations  most  desirable  for  colonies ;  to  aid  said  com- 
missioners in  negotiations  for  such  regions  of  the  coast  as  may  be 
most  advantageous  for  purposes  of  colonization  ;  and  also,  praying 
said  body  to  grant  such  other  aid  to  this  Society  as  in  their  wisdom 
they  may  deem  expedient ;  that  said  memorial  be  printed  in  the 
Repository,  and  that  the  friends  of  the  Society,  throughout  the 
Union,  be  requested  to  obtain  signatures  to  this  memorial,  and 
forward  the  same  to  the  Congress  of  the  United  States. 

"4.  Resolved,  That,  in  the  judgment  of  this  Board,  the  best 
reasons  exist  why  all  the  friends  of  the  Society  should  press  forward 
in  their  great  work  with  vigor  and  hope,  not  permitting  ocasional 
calamities  or  pecuniary  embaiTassments  to  weaken  their  resolution 
or  activity. 

"  5.  Resolved,  Tliat  should  other  countries  than  Africa,  without 
the  limits  of  tlie  United  States,  invite  the  colonization  of  our  free 
colored  population,  the  subject  of  extending  the  constitutional 
right  of  the  Society  to  plant  colonies  in  those  countries,  merits  the 
consideration  of  the  Society." 

"  It  was,  on  motion,  agreed  to  take  the  question  on  the  preamble 
and  the  several  resolutions,  separately.  The  question  was  accord- 
ingly so  put,  except  on  the  fifth  resolution,  which  was  withdrawn 
by  the  mover.  The  preamble,  the  first  and  second  resolutions, 
were  carried.  The  third  resolution  was  lost.  The  fourth  resolu- 
tion was  carried." 


APPENDIX.  243 

Under  the  authority  and  recomniendation  of  the  Society,  the 
writer  eno;aged  in  conducting  the  "  Christian  Statesman,"  which  re- 
ceived a  liberal  patronage,  and,  for  a  season,  promised  to  become 
permanently  established.  In  the  course  of  the  year,  the  present 
Chairman  of  the  Executive  Committee  proposed  to  devote  his 
time  and  labors  gratuitously  to  the  Society,  and  the  writer,  much 
impressed  with  the  liberality  of  the  oti'er,  welcomed  him  to  the 
field  of  labor,  and  moved  his  appointment  with  extraordinaiy 
powers,  as  General  Agent  of  the  Society,  to  raise  funds,  and  pro- 
mote, by  other  means,  its  interests,  under  the  instructions  of  the 
Managers.  The  motion  was  adopted,  and  the  writer  took  pleasure 
in  speaking  both  in  private  and  public  of  the  disinterestedness, 
energy,  and  zeal  of  that  individual. 

At  the  annual  meeting  in  December,  1S38,  the  constitution  of 
the  Society  was  very  materially  altered,  the  following  being  the 
fourth  and  fifth  articles,  which  embody  the  most  important  modi- 
fications : 

"  4th.  There  shall  be  a  Board  of  Directors,  composed  of  delegates 
from  the  several  State  Societies,  and  Societies  for  the  District  of  Co- 
lumbia, and  the  Territories  of  the  United  States.  Each  Society  con- 
tributing not  less  than  one  tliousand  dollars  annually  into  the  com- 
mon treasur}"^,  shall  be  entitled  to  two  delegates;  each  Society 
having  under  its  care  a  colony,  shall  be  entitled  to  three  delegates  ; 
and  any  two  or  more  Societies  uniting  in  the  support  of  a  colony, 
composing  at  least  three  hundred  souls,  to  three  delegates  each. 
Any  individual  contributing  one  thousand  dollars  to  the  Society, 
shall  be  a  Director  for  life. 

"  5th.  The  Society  and  the  Board  of  Directors  shall  meet  an- 
nually at  Washington,  on  the  third  Tuesday  in  January,  and  at 
such  other  times  and  places  as  they  shall  direct.  The  Board  shall 
have  power  to  organize  and  administer  a  General  Government  for 
the  several  colonies  in  Liberia;  to  provide  a  uniform  code  of  laws 
for  such  colonies,  and  manage  the  general  affairs  of  colonization 
througliout  the  United  States,  except  within  the  States  which 
planted  colonies.  They  shall  also  appoint  annually  the  Executive 
Committee  of  five,  with  such  officers  as  they  deem  necessary,  wAo 
shall  be  ex-officio  members  of  the  Executive  Committee  and  Board 
of  Directors,  but  in  the  latter  case  sliall  have  a  right  to  speak,  but 
not  to  vote.    The  said  Board  of  Directors  shall  designate  the  sala- 


244  MISSION.        ' 

ries  of  the  officers,  and  adopt  such  plans  as  they  may  deem  expe- 
dient for  the  promotion  of  the  colonization  cause.  It  shall  be  their 
duty  to  provide  for  the  fulfilment  of  all  existing  obligations  of  the 
American  Colonization  Society,  and  nothing  in  the  following  arti- 
cle of  these  amendments,  shall  limit  or  restrain  their  power  to 
make  such  provision  by  an  equitable  assessment  upon  the  several 
Societies." 

It  deserves  notice,  that  the  Board  of  Directors,  entitled  to  vote 
under  tliis  new  and  present  organization,  consisted  of  eZfi'e/i  mem- 
bers, only  three  of  whom  had  ever  been  members  of  the  former 
Board  of  Managers. 

The  writer  was  chosen  Corresponding  Secretary  of  the  Society; 
but,  on  motion  of it  was 

"Resolved,  That  it  be  a  condition  of  the  appointment  of  Mr. 
Gurley  to  the  oflice  of  Corresponding  Secretary,  that  he  devote 
liis  time  exclusively  to  the  duties  required  from  him  in  that  office." 

The  only  color  for  what  the  writer  deemed  an  implied  censure 
in  this  resolution,  was  in  the  fact  that  a  portion  of  his  time  had 
been,  during  the  preceding  year,  devoted  to  the  "  Christian  States- 
man," a  paper  commenced  with  a  view  principally  of  advancing  the 
interests  of  the  Society,  from  which  he  had  derived  no  pecuniary 
advantage,  and  in  giving  aid  to  which  he  viewed  himself  as  having, 
if  not  the  express,  the  implied,  sanction  of  the  Society. 

This  resolution  was  rescinded  the  next  day,  and  the  following, 
on  motion  of  Dr.  Bethune,  adopted  : 

"  Resolved,  That,  as  in  the  opinion  of  this  Board,  it  will  be  in 
a  high  degree  necessary  for  Mr.  Gurley  to  devote  a  considerable 
l)ortion  of  his  time  to  travelling,  his  salary  be  increased  to  two 
thousand  dollars  for  the  present  year." 

The  writer  at  this  time  expressed  his  views  freely  to  various 
members  of  the  Board  of  Directors,  and  especially  to  the  present 
chairman  of  the  Executive  Committee,  in  regard  to  the  organiza- 
tion and  policy  of  the  Society.  He  desired  that  no  misapprehen- 
sions should  exist  touching  his  opinions  on  these  subjects.  All 
appeared  to  concur  in  the  idea  that  the  Christian  Statesman  and 
African  Repository  should  be  sustained,  and  that  after  a  temporary 
absence  for  a  few  months  in  the  western  and  south-western  States, 
he  (the  writer)  should  return  to  conduct  the  correspondence  and 
discharge  the  editorial  duties  connected  with  his  office. 


APPENDIX. 


245 


He  therefore  made  the  best  arrangement  in  his  power  for  secur- 
ing an  editorial  supervision  of  the  Statesman,  and  departed  to  visit 
tlie  western  and  south-western  States. 

At  the  next  meeting  of  the  Directors,  27th  Feb.,  1839,  six  mem- 
bers entitled  to  vote,  being  present,  the  following  resolution  was 
adopted  : 

"  Resoloed,  That  every  officer  and  agent  of  the  Ameiican  Colo- 
nization Society,  appointed  by  the  Board  of  Directors,  shall  be 
subject  to  the  direclion  of  tiie  Executive  Committee;  and  the  pay 
of  any  such  officer  or  agent,  who  shall  neglect  or  refuse  to  comply 
with  the  instructions  given  by  said  Committee,  shall  cease." 

During  tlie  eight  months  of  the  writer's  absence,  he  was  not  in- 
formed of  the  p.issage  of  this  resolution.  It  seemed  to  indicate 
apprehensions  of  a  lawless  spirit,  if  not  of -actual  disobedience. 

Of  the  course  of  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  towards  the 
writer  during  this  protracted  time,  nothing  more  need  be  said,  than 
that  it  was  entirely  consistent  with  the  opinion  avowed  by  that  in- 
dividual, distinctl}',  for  the  first  time  soon  after  his  (the  writer's) 
return,  tliat  one  person,  and  tiiat  the  Chairman,  could  effectually 
discharge  the  duties  in  the  ofhce  of  the  Society,  and  that  it  would 
be  expedient  for  the  Secretary  to  occupy  a  station  in  some  one  of 
our  principal  cities.  The  opposite  opinion  of  the  wiiter  was 
promptly  and  emphatically  avowed. 

Though  the  writer's  health  had  been  impaired  by  exposure,  in 
summer  and  autumn,  to  causes  of  disease  along  the  rivers  of  the 
west,  he  complied  with  an  urgent  request  to  visit  Philadelphia  and 
New  York,  to  promote  the  interests  of  the  Society  ;  and  while  in 
the  former  city,  was  informed,  that  the  duty  of  drawing  up  the 
report  to  the  general  meeting,  a  duty  discharged  by  him  annually, 
(except  in  three  cases,  when  it  was  performed  by  his  able  coadju- 
tor, Mr.  Fendall,)  ever  since  his  connection  with  the  Society, 
would  be  assumed  by  the  Chairman  and  the  Committee,  and  that 
the  public  meeting  which  it  had  been  usual  to  hold  in  the  Capitol, 
on  this  anniversary  occasion,  might  probably  be  dispensed  with. 
Owing  to  his  engagements  for  the  cause  in  New  York,  a  severe 
cold,  and  the  remarkable  course  which  had  been  adopted  in  rela- 
tion to  this  meeting,  the  writer  was  not  present,  but  he  was  soon 
favored  with  a  copy  of  the  following  resolutions,  adopted  by  the 
Directors : 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  R.  R.  Gurley  be,  and  he  is,  hereby  con- 
21* 


246  MISSION. 

tinued  as  Corresponding;  Secretary,  and  that  for  the  present  year, 
he  be  absolved  from  oflice  duties,  and  act  as  a  travelling  agent, 
according  to  the  resolution  heretofore  passed  on  that  subject,  dated 
27tli  February,  1839. 

"Resolved,  That  the  salary  of  Mr.  Gurley  be  one  thousand  dol- 
lars per  annum,  with  the  liberty  of  increasing  it  to  two  thousand 
dollars,  out  of  a  per  centage  of  twenty  per  centum  of  his  collec- 
tions paid  over  to  the  Society.  Or,  if  he  shall  prefer  the  same, 
that  his  salary  be  fifteen  hundred  dollars  per  annum,*  exclusive  of 
his  travelling  expenses  ;  said  salary  to  be  paid  at  the  end  of  each 
quarter  of  the  year." 

The  number  of  Directors  present  and  entitled  to  vote,  appears 
to  have  been  eleven,  and  ihree  of  them  present  for  the  first  time. 

It  is  stated  in  the  minutes,  that  "  The  Board  having  received 
satisfactory  evidence  that  ihc  Pliiladelphia  Society  had  given  iJie 
notice  required  by  the  constitution,  on  (he  subject  of  amendments  to  the 
same,  a  committee,  (consisting  of  Mr.  Underivood  and  Mr.  Cresson,) 
was  appointed  on  amendments  to  the  constitution ;  "  and,  further,  that 
Mr.  Underwood,  from  said  committee,  moved,  among  other  resolu- 
tions, the  following,  which  was  unanimously  adopted  : 

"  Resolved,  That  the  constitution  of  this  Society  shall  be,  and  the 
same  is  hereby,  amended  in  the  fifth  article,  by  striking  out  the 
whole  of  the  third  sentence,  in  the  words  following:  '  They,  (the 
Board  of  Directors,)  shall  also  appoint,  annually,  the  Executive 
Committee  of  five,  with  such  officers  as  they  may  deem  necessary,  who 
shall  be  \ex-officio  members  of  the  Executive  Committee  and  Board 

*  The  writer's  salary  when  an' agent,  had  been  $000,  afterwards  $1000;  and 
when  elected  Secretary,  this  sum  was  raised  first  to  $12,50,  then  to  $1.")(J0.  The 
preceding  year  only,  during  an  extended  tour,  was  it  §2000. 

f  I  have  looked  into  the  reports  of  various  benevolent  societies  in  this  country 
and  England,  to  ascertain  to  what  extent  the  practice  exists,  of  constituting  Secre- 
taries and  other  officers,  ex-oflicio  members  of  the  Managers  or  Executive  Com- 
mittees. The  following  shows  the  result.  Where  the  Secretaries  and  other  offi- 
cers are  ex-officio  members  of  the  Managers  or  Executive  Committee,  we  have 
marked  it  affirmatively.  Ex-oJJicio  Me7nlers. 

American  Home  Missionary  Society,  ....  Aye. 

American  Seamen's  Friend  Society,      _  _  .  .  _  Aye. 

American  Sunday  School  Union,      -----  Aye. 

Board  of  Missions  of  Episcopal  Church,  -  -  -  -  Aye. 

American  Bible  Society,        ------  Aye. 

General  Assembly,  Board  of  Missions,  no  constitutional  provision  on  the 
subject,  but  elected  membera  every  year. 


APPENDIX.  247 

of  Directors,  but  in  the  latter  case  shall  have  the  rit^ht  to  speak, 
but  not  to  vote,'  and  insert  in  lieu  thereof,  the  following  :  '  TJiey 
(the  Board  of  Directors,)  shall  also  appoint,  annually,  the  Executive 
Committee,  to  consist  of  seven,  with  such  other  officers  as  they  may 
deem  necessary.    Four  of  the  members  of  the  Executive  Committee 

In  the  American  Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign  Missions,  tlic  Sec- 
retaries are  elected  corporate  members  of  the  Board,  where  they  liave 
the  right  both  to  speak  and  vote,  and   may  or  may  not  be  members  of 
the  Prudential  Committee,  at  the  will  of  the  Board.* 
English  Societies. 
London  Missionary  Society,       ---.__  Ave. 

ChurchiMissionary  Society,  -  -  -  _  _  Aye. 

Protestant  Association,  -----._  Aye. 

Christian  Tract  Society,       --._..  Aye. 

Irish  Society  of  London,  ---.__  Aye. 

Newfoundland  and  British    North  American  Society  for 

Educating  the  Poor,  --,-,_  Aye. 

Prayer  Book  and  Homily  Society,         -----         Aye. 

Royal  Naval  Feniale  School  Society,  -  -  -  .  Aye. 

Religious  Tract  .Society,  ------  Ave. 

Home  Missionary  Society,    -----_  Aye. 

[  "  Also,  the  Secretaries  of  all  the  Associations  co-operating  with  this  So- 
ciety, shall  be  ex-ojficio  members  of  its  Board  of  Directors,  entitled  to 
attend  and  vote  at  all  their  meetings."] 
Unitarian  Bible  Society,  ----__  Aye. 

The  Society  for  promoting  a  due  observance  of  the  Lord's 

Day, -  -  -  Aye. 

Church  Protestant  Aid  Society,  -  -  -  -  _  Aye. 

European  Missionary  Society,  -  -  -  .  _  Aye. 

London  City  Mission  Society,    ----_.  Aye. 

British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society,    -  -  -  _  _  Ave. 

London  Society  for  promoting  Christianity  among  the  Jews,      -  -  Aye. 

British  and  Foreign  Mission,  not  stated,  but  recommend  the  following  as  part  of 
the  constitution  of  all  Auxiliaries:  "  The  general  business  of  the  Society  shall  be 
conducted  by  a  Board  of  Managers,  consisting  of  a  Treasurer,  one  or  more  Secre- 
taries, and  six  or  more  Superintendents  of  Districts." 
Lonon  Association  in  aid  of  the  Missions  of  the  United  Brethren,  not  stated, 

but  recommended  to  all  Auxiliaries  the   following  as  part  of  their  constitution: 

"  That  this  Association  (or  Committee)  consist  of  a  President  (or  Chairman) 
Treasurer,  Secretary  or  Secretaries,  and  a  Committee,"  &.c. 

'  The  following  is  a  note,  published  in  connection  with  the  minutes  of  the  nine- 
teenth annual  meeting  of  the  American  Board,  October,  1828,  the  late  lamented 
Jeremiah  Evarts  being  then  Secretary: 

"  To  the  office  of  Secretary  belong  the  following  duties : 

"  1.  The  general  correspondence  of  the  Board,  both  foreign  and  domestic ; 


24S  MISSION. 

shall  const'ttiiie  a  quorum,  for  business.  The  officers  of  the  Society 
shall  ie  ex-officio  viembers  of  the  Board  of  Directors,  and  shall  have 
the  right  to  speak,  but  not  to  vote." 

It  appears  exlraorcinary,  if  not  unprecedented,  that  the  Phila- 
delphia State  Society  should  have  transmitted  a  proposition  thus 
to  modify  the  constitution,  three  months  immediately  before  the  an- 
nual meeting,  to  each  of  the  other  State  Societies,  and  that  an  offi- 
cerof  the  Parent  Society,  whohad  been  for  weeks  before  this  meet- 
ing intimately  associated  with  the  friends  of  the  cause  in  Philadel- 
phia, New  York,  and  other  places,  and  whose  relations  to  the  Soci- 
ety, of  long  standing,  were  to  be  vitally  affected  by  it,  was  left  in 
total  ignorance  that  any  such  change  was  contemplated  by  a  soli- 
tary individual. 

The  minutes  of  this  same  annual  meeting  contain  the  following 


"2.  The  editing  of  the  Missionary  Herald  ; 

"3.  The  writing  of  Uie  annual  report  —  of  appeals  to  the  Christian  community 
—  of  instructions  to  missionaries,  and  other  public  documents ; 

"  4.  The  preparation  of  the  missionary  papers  for  distribution  among  the  Auxi- 
liaries and  the  friends  of  the  cause  generally  ; 

"5.  The  procuring  and  direction  of  agents  to  visit  Associations  and  Auxiliaries, 
and  establish  new  ones,  in  different  parts  of  the  country,  and  to  extend  the  circu- 
lation of  the  Missionary  Herald  ; 

"6.  The  procuring  of  deputations  for  the  annual  meetings  of  Auxiliary  Socie- 
ties; and  an  occasional  attendance  at  these  meetings; 

"  8.  A  very  responsible  agency  in  the  selection  and  destination  of  missionaries  ; 

"  9.  Tlie  preparation  of  business  for  the  meetings  of  the  Prudential  Committee; 
"^"  10.  The  general  superintendence  of  all  the  missions  of  the  Board  ; 

"11.  Visits  to  different  parts  of  the  country,  on  business  appertaining  to  the 
Board  and  the  missions  under  its  care. 

"  12.  Visits  of  inspection  to  the  missions,  particularly  those  among  the  Indians. 
It  is  desirable  that  such  visitations  be  made,  if  possible,  by  some  one  who  is  tho- 
roughly conversant  with  the  views  and  plans  of  the  Prudential  Committee  ;  and — 

"  13.  Intercourse  with  the  friends  of  missions  from  different  parts  of  the  coun- 
try, who  call  at  the  missionary  rooms. 

"  In  a  word,  the  Secretary  must  have  a  superintendence  of  the  entire  concern, 
in  its  several  departments,  and  in  its  diversified  operations  ;  must  carry  the  whole 
continually  in  his  mind  and  upon  his  heart ;  must  keep  himself  informed  of  every 
thing  pertaining  to  it ;  must  know  what  has  been  done,  what  must  be  done,  and,  as 
far  as  possible,  what  can  be  done;  must  devise  plans,  measures,  and  means,  and 
communicate,  as  occasions  require,  to  all  concerned;  and,  with  unremitting  vigi- 
lance, must  endeavor  to  give  imjiulfe  and  direction  to  every  part  of  a  great  system, 
designed  to  convey  the  blessings  of  salvation  to  thousands  now  ready  to  perish,  and 
to  millions  yet  unborn." 


APPENDIX.  249 

record:  "The  Board  proceeded  to  the  election  of  the  Executive 
Committee.  S.  Wilkeson  was  appointed  a  member  thereof,  under 
the  style  and  title  of  President  of  the  Board  of  Directors,  and  Chair- 
man  of  the  Executive  Committee.  Messrs.  W.  W.  Seaton,  M.  St. 
Clair  Clarke,  Henry  L.  Ellsworth,  Hudson  M.  Garland,  Richard 
S.  Coxe,  and  Dr.  Harvey  Lindsly,  were  appointed  the  remaining 
members." 

On  the  receipt  of  the  resolutions  of  his  appointment,  and  while 
yet  ignorant  of  the  amendment  of  the  constitution  relating  to  its 
fifth  article,  the  writer  addressed  a  letter  to  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee, protesting  against  the  resolutions,  as  injurious  to  the  Soci- 
ety and  himself,  and  reviewing  briefly  the  history  of  his  connec- 
tion with  that  Society. 

After  ascertaining  that,  by  the  amendment  to  the  constitution, 
the  office  of  Secretary  gave  no  longer  a  right  to  a  seat  in  the  Exe- 
cutive Committee,  and  that  by  no  act  of  the  Directors  was  he 
appointed  on  that  Committee,  the  writer  addressed  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  Society  the  following  letter  of  resignation : 

"Washington,  ilf«)-c/t  6,  1S49. 
"To  THE  Hon.  Henry  Clay, 

"  President  of  the  American  Colonization  Society: 

"  Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  tender  to  you,  and  through  }'ou,  to 
the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  American  Colonization  Society,  the 
resignation  of  my  office  as  Secretary  of  that  institution. 

"  Having  been  called  into  the  service  of  the  Society,  during  the 
enthusiasm  of  my  youth,  for  nearly  twenty  years  the  best  powers 
of  my  mind  have  been  devoted  to  its  interests,  with  what  ability, 
what  success,  my  countrymen,  the  citizens  of  Liberia,  and  the 
impartial  historian  of  the  Society  and  its  colony,  must  decide. 
Regarding  the  love  of  approbation  as  a  motive,  if  wortliy  at  all, 
so  only  in  subordination  to  the  sense  of  duty,  I  cheerfully  leave 
my  reputation  to  truth,  to  time,  and  to  God. 

"I  deem  it  proper  to  state  to  the  friends  of  African  colonization 
throughout  this  Union,  that  my  attachment  to  the  scheme  of  the 
Society  is  unabated,  and  my  confidence  in  its  success  under  a 
judicious  organization  and  wise  administration  of  its  concerns, 
entire. 

"  The  office  which  I  have  so  long  had  the  honor  to  hold,  and  to 
which  was  assigned,  almost  exclusively,  for  many  years,  the  ex- 


250  MISSION. 

eculion  of  ail  mcasuresof  the  managers,  having,  (in  my  absence, 
and  without  any  notice  to  myseW  of  such  a  purpose,  but  on  the 
contiary,  with  an  understanding,  for  the  best  reasons,  on  my  part, 
that  my  relations  to  the  Society  should  remain  undisturbed,) 
through  erroneous  representations,  and  particularly  by  the  position 
assumed  by  the  general  Agent,  that  he  would  share,  on  equal 
terms,  the  duties  and  responsibilities  of  the  office  with  no  other 
person,  been  divested  by  a  recent  vote  of  the  Directors,  (some 
eight  or  ten  gentlemen  of  high  character,  but  little  acquainted 
with  the  details  of  the  past  management  of  the  institution,)  of  its 
principal  importance,  of  all  place  in  its  Executive  counsels  and 
direction  ;  I  deem  it  alike  due  to  the  cause,  my  office,  and  myself, 
to  retire  from  a  station  deprived  of  its  cliicf  attractions  for  a 
benevolent  and  honorable  mind.  Diiferent  indiviJ.uals  may  enter- 
tain dill'erent  opinions  of  what  is  riglit  and  expedient  in  human 
conduct,  and  it  is  only  for  me  to  say,  that  the  facts  here  stated  are 
reasons  suflicijut  and  satisfactory  to  my  own  mind,  Ibr  my  resig- 
nation. 

"  Having  had  no  share  in  the  preparation  of  the  recent  Annual 
Report  of  the  General  Agent  and  Executive  Committee,  noroppor- 
tunity  to  peruse  it  entire,  until  after  it  came  from  the  press,  I  hold 
myself  in  no  degree  responsible  for  its  literary  character,  the 
soundness  of  its  views,  or  the  correctness  of  its  statements. 

"  To  the  cause  of  this  Society,  my  heart  is  bound  by  the  ties 
of  early  and  long  tried  affection.  I  watched  over  its  infancy,  have 
stood  by  it  in  dark  and  stormy  hours,  and  witnessed  with  emotions 
of  deepest  joy,  its  growth,  strength,  and  rising  grandeur.  About 
to  leave  it,  probably  forever,  the  forms  of  the  Fathers  of  the 
Society,  with  whom  I  had  the  happiness  to  be  early  associated,  men 
of  truth,  justice,  of  magnaminity  and  holy  honor — a  Washington, 
Marshall,  Madison,  Crawford,  Caldwell,  Fitzhugh, 
Thornton,  Balch,  Wilmer,  Lear,  Randall,  Ashmun,  no 
longer  of  this  living  world, — and  those  united  with  them  in  coun- 
sels and  labors,  still  spared  to  their  country,  (how  gladly,  would 
decorum  permit,  should  I  here  record  their  names.)  seem  to  rise 
before  me,  claiming  at  least,  my  humble  tribute  of  praise. 
"  To  men  more  pure,  faithful,  disinterested,  of  integrity  more  stern, 
of  more  well  regulated  but  ardent  zeal,  of  more  sober  and  sagacious 
counsels,  and  with  purposes  of  a  loftier  and  more  resolute  philan- 
thropy, were  the  interests  of  no  cause  ever  entrusted.     They  com- 


APPENDIX.  251 

menced  their  enterpiize  without  resources,  unsustained  by  general 
opinion,  and  opposed  by  forces  arrayed  on  opposite  grounds,  and 
in  different  and  opposite  sections  of"  the  country,  with  a  strength 
which  only  minds  firm  and  fearless  as  theirs,  could  have  hoped  to 
defeat.  Their  plan  was  to  restore  a  degraded  people,  long  exiled 
from  their  mother  country  to  their  own  distant  and  barbarous  shore, 
and  there  elevate  thein  to  a  national  existence,  informed  and  dig- 
nified with  the  spirit  of  law,  literature,  liberty  and  Christianity  ; 
that,  by  their  example  and  achievements,  the  light  of  a  new  day 
might  dawn  upon  Africa,  and  the  day-star  arise  in  her  heart. 
Diiiicult  in  its  nature ;  remote  in  the  place  of  its  more  important 
developments  and  results,  and  in  the  time  for  its  consummation, 
necessarily  exposed  to  occasional  disasters,  by  the  wisdom  of  their 
measures,  an  ever  wakeful  attention,  by  years  of  uncompensated 
and  anxious  effort  and  rare  energy,  they  demonstrated  the  practii- 
cableness  and  utility  of  their  scheme,  and  won  a  renown  among 
the  founders  of  Slates,  which  neither  envy  nor  time  can  darken  or 
impair.  To  say  they  were  not  exempt  from  liability  to  error, 
is  but  to  say  they  were  men ;  to  admit  that  some  errors  were 
committed  in  the  early  management  of  one  of  the  most  difficult 
enterprizes  of  the  age,  is  but  an  acknowledgment  that  ability  is 
acquired  by  exertion,  and  wisdom  from  experience. 

"  An  exposition  of  the  past  proceedings  or  present  state  of  the 
Society,  I  regard  as  not  pertinent  to  the  present  occasion.  I  will 
take  the  liberty  only  to  express  a  decided  opinion,  that  no  greater 
injustice  could  well  be  done,  than  to  attribute  the  debt  in  which 
the  Society  became  involved,  near  the  commencement  of  the}'ear 
1834,  to  want  of  economy,  financial  ability,  or  sagacity  on  the  part 
of  the  Managers.  And  further,  I  may  be  permitted  to  say,  that 
sensible  as  I  am  of  the  imperfections  of  our  nature,  and  more 
deeply  of  my  own,  I  can  recollect  hardly  one  important  measure 
of  the  Managers,  and  no  one  course  of  settled  policy  adopted  by 
them,  while  I  remained  in  the  discharge  of  the  appropriate  duties 
of  my  office,  which  I  am  not  prepared  to  defend  before  the  impar- 
tial tribunal  of  the  public  mind.  That  errors  may  have  occurred 
is  probable  ;  that  they  were  frequent  and  great,  such  as  should  have 
produced  distrust  or  destroyed  confidence,  is  an  opinion  totally 
destitute  of  evidence  for  its  support. 

"  I  have  not  a  thought  of  abandoning  the  cause  of  this  Society. 
If  there  are  defects  in  its  organization,  they  may  be  supplied  ;  if 


252  MISSION. 

errors  in  its  management,  they  may  be  corrected.  Tlie  Executive 
Committee  (most  of  them  gentlemen  recently  appointed,)  possess 
ability  and  energy,  and  should  they  assume  their  rightful  control 
over  its  measures  and  operations,  may  give  it  strong  claims  to  the 
generous  support  of  the  people  of  the  United  States. 

"  In  conclusion,  I  must  be  permitted  to  express  to  you,  sir,  the 
sense  which  I,  in  common  with  all  the  friends  of  the  Society,  must 
ever  cherish,  of  your  early,  great,  and  successful  endeavors  to 
recommend  its  plan  to  all  the  States  of  this  Union.  Nothing  among 
the  acts  of  your  public  life,  devoted  to  the  cause  of  patriotism  and 
general  liberty,  will  afford  in  remembrance  more  pleasure  at  its 
close,  (far  distant  be  that  hour,)  nothing  secure  to  you  a  higher 
place  in  the  affections  of  posterity ;  and  in  two  quarters  of  the 
globe,  a  brighter  and  more  enduring  fame. 
"  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir, 

"  With  the  highest  respect, 

"  Your  friend  and  ob't.  serv't., 

"  R.  R.  GURLEY." 

After  this  letter  was  transmitted  to  the  President  of  the  Society, 
tlie  writer  received  the  following  preamble  and  resolution  from  the 
Committee  : 

"  Colonization  Rooms, 

•'  Washington,  Jpril  13,  1840. 
"  At  a  meeting  of  the  Executive  Committee   of  the  American 
Colonization  Society,  held  on  the  11th  instant,  the  following  pre- 
amble and  resolution  were  presented  and  passed  unanimously  : 

"  The  Executive  Committee  of  the  American  Colonization  Soci- 
ety, entertaining  a  high  sense  of  the  valae  of  the  services  of  the 
Rev.  R.  R.  Gurley  to  said  Society,  with  which  he  has  so  long  been 
connected,  therefore, 

"Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  R.  R.  Gurley  be  requested  to  with- 
draw his  letter  dated  the  5th  of  February,  1S40,  declining  to  accept 
his  appointment  as  Secretary  of  the  American  Colonization  Soci- 
ety, made  by  the  Board  of  Directors  at  their  meeting  in  January 
last,  and  that  he  continue  his  services  to  said  Society. 

"S.  WILKESON, 
"  Chairman  of  the  Executive  Committee,  A.  C.  S." 


APPENDIX.  253 

Those  who  from  a  friendly  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  Society 
had  conferred  with  the  Committee,  gave  the  writer  to  understand, 
that  these  resolutions  were  passed  under  an  impression  that  if 
promptly  and  favorably  met,  all  matters  of  difficulty  would  be  sa- 
tisfactorily adjusted  at  the  next  annual  meeting  of  the  Directors. 
With  this  expectation  I  signified  my  readiness  to  withdraw  my 
letter  of  resignation  in  the  following  note  : 

"  Washington,  Jpril  14,  1841, 
"To  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  Jim.  Col.  Society : 

"  Gentlemen  :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt 
of  your  resolution  of  the  11th  instant,  requesting  me  to  withdraw 
my  letter  declining  the  appointment  conferi-edon  me  by  the  Direc- 
tors of  the  American  Colonization  Society,  at  their  late  annual 
meeting,  and  continue  my  services  as  Secretary  to  that  institution. 
"  In  compliance  with  this  request,  and  with  an  unabated  desire 
to  promote  the  cause  of  the  Society,  I  hereby  withdraw  the  letter 
referred  to,  as  also  my  letter  of  resignation  addressed  to  the  Pre- 
sident of  the  Society. 

"  Very  sensible  of  the  kindness  with  which  you  are  pleased  to 
allude  to  my  past  services,  and  with  the  greatest  respect, 
"I  remain,  gentlemen,  &c., 

"R.  R.  GURLEY." 
Subsequently  to  the  date  of  this  letter,  the  writer  was  appointed 
to  proceed  on  the  mission  to  England,  and  the  manner  in  which 
the  duties  of  that  mission  were  discharged  is  stated  in  the  preced- 
ing pages. 

At  the  annual  meeting  in  January,  there  appear  to  have  been  pre- 
sent ten  Directors  entitled  to  vote,  three  of  them  for  the  first  time. 
The  following  clauses  were  added  to  the  fifth  article  of  the  con- 
stitution of  the  Society :  "  Whenever  a  ineeting  of  the  Board  of 
Directors  shall  be  regularly  called,  and  there  are  not  at  least  siv  mem- 
bers in  attendance,  in  such  case  five  members  of  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee, the  Chairman  being  one,  ivith  such  Directors,  not  less  than  two, 
as  may  be  present,  shall  constitute  a  Board,  and  have  competent  au- 
thority to  transact  any  business  of  the  Society :  Provided,  however, 
the  Board  so  constituted,  shall  carry  no  question,  unless  the  vote  be 
unanimous.  Any  two  members  of  the  Executive  Committee,  with  the 
Chairman,  shall  form  a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of  ordinary  busi- 
ness;  but  all  appropriations  of  money,  or  measures  involving  the 
expenditure  of  funds,  other  than  for  the  payment  of  debts  previously 
22 


254  MISSION. 

coniradedby  order  of  the  Executive  Committee,  shall  be  approved  by 
at  least  four  members  of  the  Executive  Committee." 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Directors  on  the  11th  of  December,  1840, 
on  motion  of  Dr.  Reese,  it  was 

"Resolved,  That  Samuel  Wiliceson  be  constituted  a  Life  Mem- 
ber and  Director  of  this  Board."* 

At  the  annual  meeting  a  few  days  after,  (22d  January,  1841,) 
"  the  Board  proceeded  to  the  election  of  officers  : — S.  Wilkeson 
was  appointed  as  a  member  of  the  Executive  Committee  viider  the 
style' and  title  of  President  of  the  Board  of  Directors  and  Chairman 
of  the  Executive  Committee.  Messrs.  W.  W.  Seaton,  M.  St  Clair 
Clarke,  H.  L.  Ellsworth,  Hudson  M.  Garland,  Richard  L.  Coxe, 
and  Dr.  H.  Lindsly,  were  appointed  the  remaining  members. 

On  motion  of  the  Rev.  J.  B.  Pinney, 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Jno.  Breckenridge,D.  D.,  be  appointed 
Secretary  of  the  American  Colonization  Society,  under  the  regula- 
tions and  instructions  adopted  the  last  year  in  relation  to  that  office." 

That  able,  high-minded,  and  much  lamented  man,  promptly 
declined  this  appointment,  in  a  very  pertinent,  expressive  note, 
which  we  hope  will  be  published. 

The  preceding  statement  of  facts  will  enable  the  public  to  judge 
whether  the  writer  could,  with  proper  regard  to  his  own  reputa- 
tion, or  to  the  character  of  the  office  he  had  so  long  held,  have  deci- 
ded upon  any  other  course  than  that  which  he  adopted.  He  is  far 
from  the  desire  to  impeach  the  motives  or  conduct  of  others,  yet 
a  reflecting  public  will  naturally  inquire  into  the  cause  which 
induced  the  Board  of  Directors  first  to  war  upon  his  office,  and 
and  next  to  elect  thereto  another  individual.  That  the  members 
of  the  Board  of  Directors  and  of  the  Executive  Committee,  are, 
generally,  gentlemen  of  honest  purposes,  I  will  not  permit  myself 
to  doubt.  Most  of  them,  however,  have  been  recently  elected 
to  their  places,  and  it  may  be  presumed,  are  very  imperfectly  in- 
formed of  the  past  management,  and  the  various  details  of  the 
history  of  the  institution.  I  believe  them  to  have  acted  under  erro- 
neous impressions  on  many  points.  This  may  not  be  the  time  or 
place  to  correct  all  the  errors  which  have  been  published  in  regard 
to  the  bad  management  of  the  Society,  and  the  well  nigh  ruined 
condition  of  its  affairs,  when  the  Board  of  Directors  were  in 
December  entrusted  with  the  management  of  its  concerns.    The 

*  The  rule  of  the  constitution  is  "  any  individual  contributing  one  thousand  dollars 
to  the  Society,  shall  be  a  Director  for  life." 


APPENDIX.  255 

seeds  of  distrust  in  the  Managers  at  Washington  had  been  sown 
at  the  time  of  the  previous  organization  in  1834,  and  had  been 
ripening  in  a  soil  favorable  to  their  development,  from  that  period 
up  to  December  1338.  Two  or  three  prominent  facts  I  shall  here 
state : 

The  separation  of  the  writer  from  the  Society  has  been  effected 
by  the  propagation  of  the  ideas  that  the  institution  had  by  mis- 
management been  brought  to  the  verge  of  ruin,  and  that  the  present 
Chairman  of  the  Committee,  if  allowed  the  Direction,  would  repair 
the  injuries  of  its  dilapidated  condition.  The  following  is  extracted 
from  a  circular  issued  by  the  Chairman  of  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee, dated  February  13th,  1839: 

"  The  Society  was  re-organized  in  December  last.  I  accepted 
from  the  new  Board  the  general  agency  of  the  management  of  the 
finances  of  the  Society,  under  the  advisement  of  the  Executive 
Committee,  of  which  I  am  Chairman.  I  did  so  without  compen- 
sation, hoping  soon  to  see  the  debt  reduced,  and  new  life  infused 
into  all  the  operations  of  the  Society.  I  regret  to  say  that  I  find 
the  whole  business  much  more  deranged  and  in  a  worse  condition 
than  I  had  been  led  to  anticipate.  While  there  is  an  increasing 
desire  among  the  friends  of  Colonization  to  aid  in  fowarding  the 
objects  of  the  Society,  there  is  a  general  unwillingness  to  contri- 
bute to  the  payment  of  old  debts,  which  are  believed  to  have  been 
improvidently  made.  Both  State  and  county  Societies  refused 
last  fall  to  pay  to  the  American  Colonization  Society  their  funds, 
unless  to  be  applied  to  specific  objects,  and  to  recommence  the 
legitimate  operations  of  the  Society,  which  had  been  totally  aban- 
doned for  more  than  a  year.  With  these  facts  before  them,  the 
Executive  Committee  had  to  pass  a  resolution  appropriating  all 
future  collections  to  meeting  the  future  engagements  of  the  Board. 
This  measure  was  forced  upon  us,  it  was  found  impossible  to  raise 
money,  unless  the  Society  could  recommence  operations.  This 
has  been  done,  not  by  the  money  of  the  Society,  they  had  not 
enough  in  the  Treasury  to  pay  the  salaries  due  to  the  officers. 
The  Executive  Committee  gave  their  own  private  responsiblity 
for  about  $800,  and  I  gave  mine  to  a  greater  amount.  Not  a  cent 
could  be  purchased  on  the  credit  of  the  Society. 

"  We  hope  by  great  efforts  to  increase  the  receipts  of  the  Soci- 
ety so  as  cover  our  engagements,  and  carry  on  the  necessary  ope- 
rations of  the  Society.  To  do  this  will  be  doing  much.  We  can- 
not hope  that  anything  will  remain  applicable  to  old  debts.    Nor 


256  MISSION. 

can  the  creditors  complain,  for  had  we  refused  to  assume  the  re- 
sponsibility referred  to,  neither  emigrants  nor  stores  for  the  Colony 
could  have  been  sent  out.  In  fact  the  Society  must  have  become 
extinct,  as  you  will  notice  the  collections  and  donations  for  the 
last  year,  did  not  amount  to  the  salaries  of  the  officers,  and  the 
expenses  of  their  offices." 

At  the  re-organization  of  the  Societj'  in  January,  1834,  the  fol- 
lowing resolution  was  adopted : 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Managers  be  directed  to  lay  be- 
fore the  public,  through  the  African  Repository,  a  full  and  detailed 
statement  of  the  origin,  rise,  and  present  condition  of  the  Soci- 
ety's debt,  having  particular  reference  to  the  causes  and  manner 
of  its  rise  and  increase  ;  the  times  at  which  it  has  been  incurred  ; 
the  individuals  to  whom  it  was  originally,  and  is  now  due ;  and 
for  what,  in  every  case,  together  with  every  circumstance,  within 
the  reach  of  their  inquiries,  here  and  in  Africa,  which  can  throw 
any  light  on  this  subject." 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Managers,  on  the  20th  of  Februa- 
ry, 1S24,  Walter  Lowrie,  Esq.,  from  the  Committee  to  which  the 
subject  had  been  referred,  made  a  report  which  was  unanimously 
adopted.     We  give  the  following  extracts  : 

"In  the  result  of  their  examination,  which  they  now  lay  before 
the  public,  the  Managers  explicitly  state  that  they  have  no  con- 
cealments. In  regard  to  the  facts  which  arc  here  embodied,  they 
pledge  themselves  that  the  statement  contains  the  truth  and  the 
Avhole  truth.  In  the  discharge  of  the  high  trust  committed  to 
them,  the  Managers  could  at  no  time  have  any  interest  exclusive- 
ly personal.  Some  of  their  number  are  at  present  in  the  Board 
for  the  first  time,  and  some  have  been  for  years  engaged  in  the 
direction  of  its  affairs.  Some  of  their  former  associates,  men  dis- 
tinguished for  every  thing  that  ennobles  the  human  mind,  are  now 
no  more ;  but  their  virtues  and  their  example  will  long  live  in  the 
memory  of  all  who  knew  them.  In  no  instance  has  there  been 
any  compensation  received  by  the  Managers  for  their  services ; 
and  the  time  devoted  to  the  interests  of  the  Society  does  often 
interfere  most  seriously  with  their  private  concerns,  and  most 
generally  it  is  the  only  time,  w'hich  their  professional  and  other 
engagements  allow  them,  for  the  enjoyment  of  their  domestic  re- 
lations. They  believe,  with  the  other  friends  of  the  Society,  that 
the  importance  of  the  trusts  committed  to  them  calls  for  sacrifices 
on  their  part;  but  having  assumed  these  duties,  they  admit  their 


APPENDIX.  257 

full  responsibility  to  the  public  for  the  manner  in  which  they  have 
been,  or  shall  be  discharged.  In  assuming  this  responsibility, 
they  can  have  no  object  but  the  promotion  of  the  best  interest  of 
the  institution.  If,  therefore,  any  mistakes  or  errors  have  been 
made,  they  are  most  anxious  that  these  mistakes  or  errors  should 
be  corrected,  by  any  light  which  experience  or  additional  infor- 
mation may  afford;  and  if  any  shall  occur  in  future,  they  will  at 
all  times  be  ready  to  apply  the  proper  correction." 

"  From  the  year  1820,  the  receipts  and  expenditures,  and  the 
number  of  emigrants,  in  each  year,  have  been  as  follows : 

EXPENDITURES.  EMIGRANTS. 


YEARS. 

RECEIPTS. 

1820-2 

*$5,627  66 

1823 

4,798  02 

1824 

4,379  89 

1825 

10,125  85 

1826 

14,779  24 

1827 

13,294  94 

1828 

13,458   17 

1829 

19,795  61 

1830 

26,583  51 

1831 

27,999  15 

1832 

40,365  08 

1833 

37,242  46 

$3,785  79 
6,766  17 


390 


3,851  42    ( 

7,543  88    ) 
17,316  94    ) 

13,901  74    (  _j,, 

17,077  12    i 
18,487  34    ) 

17,637  32  259 

28,068  15  441 

51,644  22  790 

35,637  54  108 

"  It  is  not  deemed  important,  in  this  communication,  to  give  in 
detail  all  the  distinct  objects  of  expenditure  ;  but  it  is  necessary 
to  a  clear  and  satisfactory  exposition,  that  the  leading  items  of 
expense  should  be  specifically  stated. 

"  In  the  United  States  these  have  consisted  of — 
Salary  of  the  Secretary,  ...  -      $(1,250 

Assistant  Secretary,  (for  last  year,)        -  -  -        1,000 

Treasurer  and  Clerk,       .  -  -  .  -  750 

Postage  of  letters,  .....  150 

Office  rent,  ......  200 

Printing  and  stationery,  (average, )         -  -  -         1,890 

Agents  in  different  States,  ....         1,356 

Fuel  and  other  contingencies,     ....  120 

$6,716 


IN   LIBERIA, 

Colonial  Agent,  ....      $2,400 

Paid  by  the  United  States  Government,  -        1,600 

Amount  carried  over,  -  -        $S09 

•  The  amount  in  13iS  WM  ^778. 

22* 


25S  MISSION. 

Amount  brought  forward,              -            -            -  $800 

Colonial  Physician,          .....  1,500 

Secretary,            ......  qqq 

All  other  salaried  officers,           ....  4,220 


^7,120 


"  The  Agent  and  physicians  receive  also  subsistence  from  the 
colonial  stores. 

"  This  may  be  called  tlie  expense  of  the  civil  list,  in  the  ad- 
ministration of  the  colony,  in  the  United  States  and  in  Liberia. 

"  Here  it  may  be  proper  to  remark,  that  most  of  these  colonial 
salaries  were  not  created  by  the  Board,  and  whatever  may  have 
been  tlie  necessity  heretofore,  when  the  colony  was  in  an  infant 
state,  the  Managers  now  consider  most  of  the  salary  officers  in 
the  colony  to  be  unnecessary.  The  measures  which  they  have 
adopted  on  this  branch  of  the  subject,  will  be  found  in  another 
part  of  this  communication. 

"  The  expenditures  in  the  United  States,  besides  those  for  the 
civil  list,  have  been,  for  collecting  emigrants  for  Iheir  embarka- 
tion—  for  subsistence  till  their  arrival — for  provisions,  subsis- 
tence and  colonial  stores,  sent  from  the  United  States  for  their 
support  for  six  months  after  their  arrival  in  Liberia  —  for  charter 
of  vessels,  freight  and  transportation  —  for  medicines,  surgical  in- 
struments, arms,  warlike  stores  and  armed  vessels ;  and,  also,  for 
the  maintenance  of  three  medical  students. 

"  The  expenditures  of  the  colony,  besides  those  for  the  civil 
list,  have  been,  for  the  support  of  public  schools ;  for  buildings ; 
presents  to  native  kings;  fortifications;  purchase  of  territory; 
expense  of  court-house  and  jail ;  opening  roads,  and  the  founding 
of  new  settlements. 

"It  was  at  all  times  the  desire  of  the  Board,  that  all  the  ex- 
penses at  the  colony  should  be  paid  by  the  Agent,  either  from  the 
sale  of  articles  from  the  colonial  stores,  or  by  cash  in  his  hand. 
The  ruinous  practice  of  purchasing  provisions  from  the  merchants 
in  Liberia  on  credit,  and  paying  for  them  from  time  to  time,  by 
drafts  on  the  Board,  was  never  for  one  moment  contemplated,  ex- 
cept in  cases  of  peculiar  and  rare  contingency ;  and  yet,  owing  to 
adverse  circumstances  of  the  last  two  years,  this  very  practice 
has  been  tlie  principal  cause  of  the  present  embarrassment  in  the 
finances  of  the  Society. 

"  It  will  be  seen  that  the  number  of  emigrants  sent  out  during 


APPENDIX.  259 

the  years  1830,  '31  '32,  and  '33,  was  1,598 ;  and,  to  meet  their 
expenses  at  the  colony,  it  appears  from  the  Society's  books, 
supplies  were  furnished  and  sent  out  amounting  to  ;!f>'40,946  63. 
In  addition  to  this  amount,  tlie  drafts  on  the  Board  have  been 
$32,939  15,  making  the  entire  charge  on  the  funds  of  the  insti- 
tution, $73,885  78,  for  these  four  years,  exclusive  of  the  civil  list 
in  the  United  States,  support  of  medical  students,  collecting  emi- 
grants, charter  of  vessels,  freight,  and  transportation. 

"  The  sum  of  .ff;40,946  63,  vested  as  it  was  in  colonial  store 
and  provisions,  was  deemed  sufficient  for  all  the  expenses  of  the 
colony.  The  highest  estimate  made  by  the  colonial  Agent,  was  at 
all  times  less  than  twenty  dollars  for  the  support  of  each  emigrant 
after  his  arrival.  Estimating  that  sum  for  each,  the  1,598  emi- 
grants would  reqttire  for  their  support  $31,960,  leaving  a  balance 
of  $8,986  63  for  the  civil  list  and  other  expenditures  at  the  colo- 
ny. "^6^  balance  was  in  colonial  stores,  and  worth,  in  Liberia, 
at  least  $12,000.  This  sum  was  evidently  too  small  for  the  pay- 
ment of  the  civil  list  in  the  colony  for  four  years,  and  for  the  other 
expenditures,  for  objects  of  a  permanent  character.  The  purchase 
of  additional  territory,  the  founding  the  colony  at  Grand  Bassa, 
and  the  purchase  of  the  agency  house  from  the  United  States, 
were  objects  of  a  permanent  nature  ;  and.  taken  together,  tended 
much  to  increase  the  debt  against  the  Society.  As  a  matter  of 
course,  drafts  from  the  colony,  to  some  extent,  were  necessary  to 
meet  this  deficit.  In  the  purchase  of  the  supplies  sent  1o  the 
colony,  the  Board  had  incurred  a  debt  in  the  United  States  of 
$11,708  97. 

"In  thus  extending  the  operations  of  the  Society,  in  advance  of 
their  means,  the  Board,  it  is  believed,  fell  into  an  error.  But  it 
arose,  in  a  great  measure,  from  the  want  of  full  and  precise  infor- 
mation. Additional  light  would  have  prevented  the  outfit  of  so 
many  expeditions  in  1832.  The  object  of  the  Board  was  un- 
doubtedly praiseworthy ;  their  accounts  from  the  colony,  through- 
out 1832,  were  most  encouraging.  Emigrants  offered  themselves, 
and  liberated  slaves  were  offered,  in  greater  numbers  than  the 
means  of  the  Board  would  enable  them  to  send  to  the  colony. 
JNIany  friends  of  the  cause  urged  the  Board  to  give  more  vigor  to 
their  operations  ;  and  expressed  the  opinion  that  the  public  libe- 
rality would  sustain  them  in  their  efforts  to  increase  the  numbers 
of  the  colony.  This  desire  to  extend  and  enlarge  the  beneficial 
operations  of  the  Society,  to  the  number  who  were  waiting  and 


260  MISSION. 

anxious  to  go  to  Liberia,  induced  the  Board  to  incur  responsibili- 
ties, both  in  tlie  United  States  and  at  the  colony,  which,  in  the 
most  favorable  circumstances,  would  have  left  a  heavy  balance 
against  them." 

"In  regard  to  the  funds  of  the  Society,  it  is  the  duty  of  the 
Board  to  be  explicit,  and  to  state  clearly  their  future  course.  It 
is  their  intention,  as  it  is  clearly  their  duty,  as  fast  as  their  ability 
will  permit,  to  liquidate  all  their  debts,  by  the  application  of  every 
sum,  above  what  may  be  necessary  to  keep  the  colony  from  going 
backwards.  The  colony  must  be  sustained  by  all  necessary  sup- 
plies; the  cause  of  education,  and  the  cause  of  agriculture  there, 
cannot,  will  not,  be  neglected." 

The  writer  feels  well  prepared  to  show  that  the  affairs  of  the 
American  Colonization  Society  were  never  more  efficiently  or 
judiciously  managed,  on  the  whole,  than  from  the  period  of  1822 
to  1834,  during  which  time  2768  emigrants  were  sent  out,  and  the 
annual  income  of  the  Society  rose  from  $788,  (the  amount  re- 
ceived in  theyear  1822,  when  the  writer  was  first  appointed  agent,) 
to  rising  of  $40,000.  During  that  time,  (in  1824,)  he  (the  writer,) 
visited  Liberia,  established,  in  conjunction  with  the  excellent  Mr. 
Ashmun,  the  Government  of  the  colony,  reported  in  favor  of  the 
appointment  of  that  gentleman  to  the  colonial  agency,  which,  in 
connection  with  the  manifest  benefits  of  the  system  of  Govern- 
ment as  administered  by  that  lamented  man,  secured  for  six  years 
his  invaluable  services  ;  commenced  and  edited  the  African  Re- 
pository; conducted  the  entire  correspondence  of  the  Society,  (after 
the  death  of  Mr.  Caldwell,  in  1825,)  and  executed  most  of  the  acts 
and  resolutions  of  the  Managers.  The  report  just  quoted,  shows 
that,  during  the  years  1830,  '31,  '32,  and  '33, 15.98  emigrants  were 
sent  to  Africa,  and  supplies,  to  the  value  of  $40,946  63. 

How  stand  the  facts  in  regard  to  the  four  subsequent  3'ear3,  viz: 
from  January,  1834,  to  January,  1838,  from  the  first  re-organization 
up  to  the  second,  when  the  present  Directors  were  entrusted  with 
control?  From  the  letter  already  quoted,  of  the  Chairman  of  the 
Executive  Committee,  and  from  the  general  tone,  and  many  in- 
sinuations in  the  last  two  reports  of  that  Committee,  it  would 
naturally  be  inferred  that  all  colonization  operations  had  been  sus- 
pended, but  that  under  the  new  direction,  the  cause  was  coming 
up  as  from  the  tomb,  to  shine  forth  in  new  beauty  and  life  and 
power. 

A  comparison  between  the  receipts  of  the  Parent  Colonization 


APPENDIX.  261 

Society  during  any  one  of  the  four  years  (and  especially  the  last,) 
next  preceding  the  recent  organization,  and  tliat  succeeding  it, 
affords  no  means  of  deciding  upon  the  comparative  prosperity'  of 
the  cause  in  those  years,  because,  during  these  preceding  years, 
large  sums  were  expended  on  the  colonization  sc]icme,whic]ir!erer 
came  into  ike  treasury  of  the  Parent  Society ;  vvliile,  during  the  last, 
the  case  was  otherwise.    When  we  know  that  during  the  four 
years,  $52,625  43,  were  raised  by  the  New  York  Society,  of  which 
a  very  small  portion  only  came  into  the  treasury  of  the  Parent 
Society  ;  that  the  Pennsylvania  Society  expended  large  amounts 
($19,000  being  acknowledged  in  a  single  year,)  on  the  settlements 
at  Bassa  Cove,  and  Mississippi  and  Louisiana  probably  not  less 
than  15  or  $20,000,*  in  founding  the  settlement  at  the  mouth  of 
the  Sinou  river;  the  only  just  comparison  which  can  be  instituted 
is  between  the  aggregate  amount  annually  expended,  before  the 
present  organization,  by  the  Parent  and  these  other  Societies  ;  and 
that  since  expended  in  a  like  period  by  the  Parent  Society,  since 
the  income  of  all  has  gone  into  its  treasury.     We  will  then  put 
down  for  the  New  York  Society,  (during  the  four  years 

alluded  to)    -  -  -  -  -  -         $40,000 

For  the  Pennsylvania  Society,      -  -  -  30,000 

For  the  Louisiana  and  Mississippi,     -  -  -  15,000 


Total,  85,000 

Amount  of  receipts  of  Parent  Society,     -  -  167,234 


4  )  252,234 


Making  during  this  period  an  average  annual  receipt  of  $63,058 
Whereas,  the  annual  average  receipt  since  the  new  organization, 
has  been  $57,076  04.  Some  items,  it  is  true,  in  the  estimated 
receipts  of  the  Parent  Society  during  these  four  years,  were  not 
subscriptions  and  ilonations ;  and  it  is  equally  true,  that  tlie 
$11,074  33,  by  which  the  annual  income  the  last  year  was  stated 
to  have  exceeded  that  of  any  former  year,  was  not  made  up  of 
such  receipts. 

In  regard  to  emigration  during  the  four  years  of  which  we  sp'=,ak, 
represented  as  years  of  such  decline  and  disaster,  the  public  should 
know,  that  it  exceeded  the  ratio  of  that  which  has  occurred  during 

*  Probably  much  more, 


262  MISSION. 

tlie  two  years  of  the  recent  organization,  the  number  sent  out  by 
the  Parent,  New  York,  Pennsylvania,  Mississippi,  and  Louisiana 
Societies,  having  fallen  little,  if  any,  short  of  600,*  while  the 
number  sent  out  since  the  new  organization,  I  am  informed  at  the 
office,  is  about  260. 

Again  of  the  debt;  this  was  estimated  in  February,  1828,  by 
the  present  Chairman  of  the  Committee,  at        -  -    $'51,059 

An  arrangement  was  made  for  settling  with  the  creditors,  by  pay- 
ing one  half  provided  they  discharged  the  Society  from  all  further 
legal  obligation,  thus  reducing  the  debt  to  -  -    $'25,529 

On  this  amount,  the  Committee,  in  their  report  of  January,  1840, 
state  there  had,  during  the  year,  been  paid  -         $6,233  21 

Leaving  still  due,  ....  19,295  75 

And,  say  the  Directors,  "  There  is  little  doubt  of  discharging  the 
heavy  debts  which  have  so  long  encumbered  the  Society,  during 
the  present  year." 

Yet,  in  the  report  of  January  last,  we  read  the  following  state- 
ment :  "  Old  creditors  have  received,  -  -  $6,757  42 
Leaving  the  balance  due,  -  -  -  $16,500  00 
which  it  is  hoped  the  means  of  the  Society  will  be  able  to  dis- 
charge in  the  course  of  the  year." 

We  must  leave  the  able  financiers  of  the  Committee  to  show 
how  a  payment  of  $14,990  63,  on  a  debt  of  $25,529,  will  still 
leave  due  $16,500. 

But,  as  we  have  stated,  though  we  have  abundant  cause  to 
expose  and  correct  numerous  errors  in  the  last  two  reports  of  the 
Society,  and,  especially,  to  repel  insinuations,  which  are  often 
more  injurious  than  bold  charges,  we  shall  leave  the  subject  with 
two  remarks  : 

First.  That,  "if  the  difficulties  (as  stated  by  the  Committee  in 
their  last  report,)  experienced  in  obtaining  correct  reports  of  the 
disbursements  and  expenses  in  the  colony,  no  longer  exist ;"  and 
if,  as  quoted,  from  the  Rev.  Mr.  Pinney,  at  that  time  the  Society's 
agent  in  Liberia,  under  date  May  15th,  1834,  "  From  the  loose 
manner  in  which  the  accounts  have  been  kept  at  the  Colony, 
it  has  been  impossible  to  ascertain,  with  precision,  in  what  manner 
the  goods  have  been  disposed  of,  or  how  the  heavy  debts  incurred 

*  .579,  witli  those  which  embarked  in  the  Orion,  probably  not  less  than  40; 
though  I  am  unable  to  find  the  exact  number,  in  this  vessel,  stated. 


APPENDIX.  263 

there,  were  contracted,*  it  is  to  be  attributed  solely  to  the  good 
fortune  of  the  Society  in  securing  as  Governor,  one,  both  disposed 
and  able  to  execute  the  instructions  of  the  Society.  Second,  that 
if  any  new  method  and  harmony,  and  energy  attend  the  present 
operations  in  behalf  of  Colonization,  it  is  not  to  be  sought  particu- 
lary  in  the  official  direction  in  Washington,  but  in  the  disposition 
of  sundry  State  Societies  to  abandon  their  plans  of  separate 
action,  and  co-operate  by  their  funds  and  exertions  in  the  measures 
of  the  General  Society. 

The  following  paragraph  apeared  in  the  Christian  Statesman  in 
May,  183S,  and  the  writer  has  found  no  cause  to  change  the  opi- 
nions therein  expressed : 

"In  the  years  1832  and  '33,  the  Parent  Society,  (censured  as  it 
has  been  by  friends  whose  zeal  was  little  tempered  by  prudence, 
for  excessive  caution,  and  reproached  for  inactivity,  when  the  whole 
country  was  waiting,  as  it  was  said,  to  assist  them  by  generous  con- 
tributions) sent  more  emigrants  to  Liberia  than  have  been  sent  in 
the  four  years  since,  by  all  auxiliary  societies,  if  not  mqre  than  the 
total  number  since  removed  to  Africa.  It  adopted  this  course  in 
compliance  with  the  importunities  of  friends,  and  in  confidence,  that 
these  friends  and  the  public  would  sustain  them.  Its  expenditures 
were  a  few  thousand  dollars  beyond  its  means,  and  a  debt  still 
greater,  incurred  without  the  knowledge  of  the  Managers  in  Liberia, 
added  to  its  heavy  responsibilities.  What,  in  this  time  of  diffi- 
culty and  discouragement,  when  the  enemies  of  the  Society  re- 
joiced, and  its  defenders  were  faint-hearted,  was  the  conduct  of  those 
whose  only  complaint  of  the  Managers  of  the  Institution,  to  that 
hour  had  been,  "  you  are  too  timid,  prudent,  calculating,  confide 
too  little  in  the  benevolence  of  the  country  !"  A  sudden  change 
came  over  them  ;  they  saw  new  lights  ;  things  had  been  misman- 
aged ;  they  magnified  the  difficulties ;  tliey  talked  loudly  of  the 
imprudence  ;  they  whispered  their  want  of  confidence  in  the 
w^isdom  and  energy  of  the  Society.  Separate  State  action,  not 
independent,  only  partially  separate — still  auxiliary,  could  alone, 
in  their  view,  save  the  cause.  They  were  still  the  devoted  friends 
of  the  Parent  Society.  Their  plan  would  add  greatly  to  its  resour- 
ces, and  must  increase  its  strength.    They  destroyed  public  confi- 

*  I  must  not  here  be  understood  as  expressing  any  opinion  adverse  to  the  Mary- 
land State  Colonization  Society.  That  Society  isgenerously  sustained  by  the  Le- 
gislature of  the  State,  and  its  affairs  have  been  conducted  -with  much  ability  and 


S64  MISSION. 

dence  to  a  great  extent,  in  the  general  Society,  and  then  turned 
ttie  eifects  of  their  conduct  into  an  argument  to  be  kindly  urged 
with  the  Society,  why  it  should  yield  to  their  designs.  They  in- 
sisted that  their  policy  alone  would  meet  the  approbation  of  the 
people  they  represented;  that  it  was  the  only  practicable  mode  by 
which  the  Parent  Society  could  obtain  relief,  and  that  it  would 
give  a  powerful  impulse  to  the  cause.  The  Managers  of  the 
Parent  Society  made  the  desired  concessions,  while  several  of  them 
earnestly  contended  that  the  policy  was  unwise  in  principle,  though 
it  might  be  expedient  from  circumstances. 

"  We  have  never  doubted  that  it  had  been  far  better  for  the 
cause,  had  its  friends  remained,  as  at  the  origin  of  the  Society — 
united.  Certainly,  the  benefits  promised  from  their  plan  by  the 
advocates  of  separate  action  of  the  Parent  Society,  have  not  been 
realized.  But  whether  this  opinion  be  correct  or  not,  it  must 
require  other  reasons  than  any  we  have  seen  adduced,  to  prove  that 
a  smaller  amount  of  funds  had  been  raised,  or  less  good  been  effect- 
ed in  this  country  and  in  Africa,  had  the  friends  of  the  Parent 
institution,  (when  they  found  it  embarrassed  by  efforts,  put  forth 
by  a  generous  desire  to  meet  their  own  wishes,  and  satisfy  every 
reasonable  expectation  of  the  public)  stood  firmly  by  it,  and  nobly 
exerted  themselves  for  its  relief,  than  has  been  realized  by  the  new 
policy  then  first  invented  and  proposed,  of  the  separate  operations 
of  Auxiliary  Societies." 

APPENDIX  B. 

The  New  York  Colonization  Society  advanced  £100,  or  $485  00 

B.  Coates,  Esq.,  Philadelphia, 150  00 

E.  C.Delavan,*  Esq.,  Albany,  New  York,       -         -  100  00 

Hon.  Thos.  W.  Williams,  New  London,  Conn.,  -         -         50  00 
A.  M'Intyre,  Albany,  New  York,    -         -         -         .  25  00 


Total, #810  00 


Expenses,  including  outfit,  passages  both  ways,  rooms,  board, 
visit  to  Scotland,  postage,  printing,  &c.,  during  eleven  months  of 
absence,  $1,090. 

It  is  but  just  to  Mr.  Delavan  to  state,  that  in  advancing  this  sum,  his  expect^ion 
■was  that  I  should  be  present  at  the  World's  Convention,  and  derive  benefit  from 
its  proceedings. 


f- 


,'N 


